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MIAA Handbook July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2017

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July 1, 2015 – June 30, 2017

Rules and Regulations Governing Athletics

A Handbook for Principals and Athletic Directors

of schools that are members of the

MASSACHUSETTS INTERSCHOLASTIC

ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION


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Suggested for Regular Review

“Points of Emphasis”

In addition to bold face language within the Handbook text representing current approved rule

changes, the following should be well known by all principals and athletic directors:

Pg. 31 Rule #32.1 Association rules may only be interpreted or clarified by the

Board (or staff)

Pg. 32 #33 Coaches Education and requirement for ALL coaches

Pg. 33 #34 Scheduling Limits for Schools & cut-off dates (Rule 94)-pages 113

& 114

Pg. 38 #40 Coach-Athletes Out of Season Limitations

Pgs.46 & 117 #45&#98 Bona Fide Team Member – Violation Consequences

Pgs.52-63 #51-64 Primary body of athlete eligibility requirements

Pg. 52 #52 Clarifying description of eligibility status for students in “non-

traditional” education programs

Pg. 60 #62 Chemical Health - in effect from the earliest fall practice date to

the conclusion of the academic year or final athletic events

(whichever is latest).

Rule Changes Passed for the 7/1/15-6/30/17 Handbook Page 33 #34 added Boys & Girls Rugby (effective 2016-17)

Page 33 #34 changed Boys & Girls Swimming & Diving to 3 meets/week

Page 36 #36.2 added Swimming & Diving in non-scoring events

Page 40 #40.7 new sub-section – Hosting Open House @ Public High Schools

Page 51 #49.11.2 new sub-section – Coach DQ’d 3rd time in career

Page 52 #53 new wording – Middle School participation (effective 2016-17)

Page 60 #62 new sub-section – Student request for treatment

Page 66 #65.15 new sub-section – Baseball base coach uniforms

Page 72 #69.5.5 new sub-section – Practice limits for football

Page 77&79 #73 & 75 Indoor & Outdoor Track competitor allowed 4 events

Page 78 #74.10 new sub-section - Girls Lacrosse – Overtime when tied

Page 78 # 74 Eliminated sub-sections: MIAA Time out provision & Face-off procedure

Page 92 #84.4.6 Wrestling – qualifying criteria

Page 105 #90.4.7 new sub-section – decision making process


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A message to Principals and Athletic Directors

Dear Association Leaders,

This Handbook provides policies and procedures that guide the Association and its

school leaders. Definitions, philosophy, conduct codes, and constitutional structures

are further examples of Handbook information and aids that can be useful to you at

various times. Ideas for improving content or format are welcome. Please note, Rule

32.1, “As a condition of a high school's participation in interscholastic athletics under

MIAA Rules and Regulations, prior to the first fall season contest, each principal and

athletic director must read entirely, understand, abide by, and be prepared to enforce

all rules, regulations, and policies contained within this Handbook. Only the Board of

Directors, executive staff, or their designees may interpret or clarify rules of the

Association. All disputes will be resolved by the executive staff or Board of Directors.

The principal and athletic director must assure that each member of the school's

coaching staff is knowledgeable of, and will enforce, all requirements contained

therein.”

The electronic version (found at www.miaa.net) of this Handbook provides Principals

and Athletic Directors with rule resources that may be as helpful as the rules

themselves. For example, the electronic version includes “icons” that provide rule

clarifications, supporting forms, etc. The electronic version also allows opportunity

for instant staff editing of language that a principal or athletic director might suggest.

Please note, Rule 53: Student Eligibility: Middle School Students on Senior High

Teams Rule and Rule 76: Rugby, will not be in effect until July 1, 2016.

Please remember always that your staff’s number one priority is to quickly respond to

a member school principal or athletic director who might benefit from our support. If

you have any level of uncertainty about the application of a rule, please give us a call

before you try to “reinvent the wheel.” Staff contact information is easily accessed at

the top of the “Members Only” section of our website.

With continuing best wishes, I am

Very sincerely yours,

MIAA Executive Director

June, 2015

http://www.miaa.net/


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

JULY 1, 2015 – JUNE 30, 2017 ............................................................................................................... 1

A MESSAGE TO PRINCIPALS AND ATHLETIC DIRECTORS ...................................................... 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS .......................................................................................................................... 4

MIAA MISSION ....................................................................................................................................... 7

MIAA PHILOSOPHY ............................................................................................................................... 8

WORTH REMEMBERING ...................................................................................................................... 9

COACHES' CODE OF ETHICS ............................................................................................................ 11

CONTEST OFFICIALS' CODE OF ETHICS ...................................................................................... 12

PART I - GOVERNANCE OF INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS ................................................. 13

A. Legend .................................................................................................................................... 14 B. Overview................................................................................................................................. 14 C. The Assembly ......................................................................................................................... 14 D. The Board of Directors ........................................................................................................... 14 E. The Officers ............................................................................................................................ 14 F. The Executive Director ........................................................................................................... 15 G. Eligibility Review Board, Standing, and District Athletic Committees ............................... 15 H. Sportsmanship, Integrity & Ethics Committee ..................................................................... 16 I. Game Officials’ Committee .................................................................................................... 16 J. Sports Medicine Committee ................................................................................................... 16 K. Educational Athletic Committee ............................................................................................ 16 L. Tournament Management Committee ................................................................................... 16 M. Voting Committee Members ................................................................................................... 16 N. Member School ....................................................................................................................... 17 O. Constitutional Organization Chart ....................................................................................... 18 P. The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Council (MIAC) ................................................ 19 Q. The National Federation of State High School Associations ................................................ 19

PART II - DEFINITIONS AND POLICIES ........................................................................................ 20

1. Every Participant must be a School Team Member .............................................................. 21 2. School Team ........................................................................................................................... 21 3. Adult Representation ............................................................................................................. 21 4. Addressing the MIAC, Board of Directors, and Association Standing Committees ............. 21 5. Medical Coverage ................................................................................................................... 21 6. Parental Permission .............................................................................................................. 22 7. Missing or Diseased Paired Organ ........................................................................................ 22 8. Return to Athletic Participation ............................................................................................ 22 9. Athletes' Assembly ................................................................................................................. 22 10. Academic Awards .................................................................................................................. 22 11. Sportsmanship Awards ......................................................................................................... 22 12. School Attendance Policies .................................................................................................... 22 13. Equipment .............................................................................................................................. 23 14. Private Promoters and Sponsors ........................................................................................... 23 15. Transportation ....................................................................................................................... 23 16. Medical Emergency Evacuation/Thunder & Lightning ....................................................... 23 17. Protested Contests .................................................................................................................. 24


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18. Canceled Season Policy .......................................................................................................... 24 19. Complimentary Tournament Passes...................................................................................... 24 20. Statewide Coaches' Organizations ........................................................................................ 24 21. Definition of a Jamboree ........................................................................................................ 24 22. Definition of Scrimmage ........................................................................................................ 24 23. Definition of Practice ............................................................................................................. 25 24. Captain's Practice .................................................................................................................. 25 25. Victory Celebrations ............................................................................................................... 25 26. Club Teams ............................................................................................................................ 25 27. Conflict Of Interest Statement ............................................................................................... 26 28. Gender Equity and Leadership.............................................................................................. 26 29. Resolutions Regarding Litigation .......................................................................................... 26 30. Unattached Athletes ............................................................................................................... 27 31. Precautions Against the Transmission of Blood-Borne Pathogens ....................................... 28

PART III - GENERAL RULES ............................................................................................................. 30

32. Application of Rules ............................................................................................................... 31 33. Coaches’ Education ................................................................................................................ 32 34. Recognized Sports, And Scheduling Limits for Schools ...................................................... 33 35. Starting and Closing Dates for Tryouts, Practices, and Contests ......................................... 35 36. Multiple School Events: Involving Only MIAA Member Schools ......................................... 36 37. Interstate Competition ........................................................................................................... 37 38. All Star Games....................................................................................................................... 37 39. Competition with Non-Member Schools (includes “Approved” Schools that are not Members,

but are approved by their own High School State Association as recognized by the

National Federation). .................................................................................................. 38 40. Out-of-Season Coach-Athlete Contact Limitations ................................................................ 38 41. Subsidizing Out-of-Season Activities .................................................................................... 40 42. League Organization & Membership Changes ...................................................................... 41 43. Boys’ and Girls’ on the Same Team ....................................................................................... 42 44. Recruitment ............................................................................................................................ 44

PART IV - RULES AFFECTING AN INDIVIDUAL STUDENT-ATHLETE OR COACH ............ 45

45. Loyalty to the High School Team: Bona Fide Team Members ............................................. 46 46. Only One School Sport Per Season is Permitted ................................................................... 46 47. Amateurism -- Definitions and Loss of Amateur Standing ................................................... 47 48. Sportsmanship: Taunting ..................................................................................................... 47 49. Sportsmanship: Athlete and Coach Contest Disqualifications/Suspensions ...................... 48 50. Coach/Media Relations ......................................................................................................... 51 51. Student Eligibility: Baseline Eligibility Requirements ......................................................... 52 52. Student Eligibility: Alternative, Collaborative, Detached or Other Non-Traditional

Educational Programs ................................................................................................. 52 53. Student Eligibility: Middle School Students on Senior High Teams ................................... 52 54. Student Eligibility: Home Educated Students ...................................................................... 53 55. Student Eligibility: Membership in School .......................................................................... 54 56. Student Eligibility/School Requirements: Physical Examinations/Medical

Coverage/Concussions ................................................................................................. 54 57. Student Eligibility: Transfer Students .................................................................................. 55 58. Student Eligibility: Academic Requirements ........................................................................ 57 59. Student Eligibility: Time Allowed for Participation After First Entering Grade Nine ....... 59 60. Student Eligibility: Age ........................................................................................................ 59 61. Student Eligibility: Graduation ............................................................................................ 59


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62. Student (and Coach) Eligibility: Chemical Health/Alcohol/Drugs/Tobacco ...................... 60 63. Good Citizen Rule .................................................................................................................. 63 64. Protest Student Eligibility ..................................................................................................... 63

PART V - SPORT RULES ..................................................................................................................... 64

65. Baseball ................................................................................................................................. 65 66. Basketball .............................................................................................................................. 66 67. Cross Country ........................................................................................................................ 67 68. Field Hockey ........................................................................................................................... 68 69. Football .................................................................................................................................. 68 70. Golf ..................................................................................................................................... 73 71. Gymnastics ............................................................................................................................. 73 72. Ice Hockey .............................................................................................................................. 74 73. Indoor Track .......................................................................................................................... 77 74. Lacrosse .................................................................................................................................. 78 75. Outdoor Track ........................................................................................................................ 78 76. Rugby ..................................................................................................................................... 80 77. Skiing ..................................................................................................................................... 80 78. Soccer ..................................................................................................................................... 80 79. Softball ................................................................................................................................... 84 80. Swimming .............................................................................................................................. 84 81. Tennis .................................................................................................................................... 85 82. Unified Sports ........................................................................................................................ 87 83. Volleyball ............................................................................................................................... 88 84. Wrestling ................................................................................................................................ 90

PART VI - PENALTIES ......................................................................................................................... 94

85. Penalties ................................................................................................................................. 95 86. Participation of an Ineligible Student ................................................................................... 96

PART VII - PROCEDURES .................................................................................................................. 97

87. Student Eligibility Waiver -- The Process ............................................................................. 98 88. Bona Fide Team Member Waiver Guidelines ...................................................................... 101 89. Procedure for Requesting a Rule Change ............................................................................ 101 90. Hearings and Appeals ......................................................................................................... 102

PART VIII - GAME OFFICIALS ........................................................................................................ 107

91. Game Officials’ Committee – Mission Statement ................................................................ 108 92. Game Officials -- Policies and Procedures ........................................................................... 108 93. Recommended Game Officials’ Fee Schedule ...................................................................... 110

PART IX - TOURNAMENTS ............................................................................................................... 113

94. MIAA Tournament Philosophy ............................................................................................ 114 95. Tournament Cut-Off Dates .................................................................................................. 115 96. Divisional Enrollment: Cooperative and Mixed Gender Teams ......................................... 116 97. Tournament Eligibility ........................................................................................................ 116 98. Each Student Participant Must Be A Bona Fide Team Member ........................................ 117 99. Tournament Administration and Accountability ................................................................ 118

PART X: MIAA CONSTITUTION ..................................................................................................... 124

PART XI: RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE MIAC ............................................................. 135


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MIAA MISSION

The mission of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association is to serve member

schools and the maximum number of their students by providing leadership and support for

the conduct of interscholastic athletics which will enrich the educational experiences of all

participants. The MIAA will promote interschool athletics that provide lifelong and life-quality

learning experiences to students while enhancing their achievement of educational goals.


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MIAA PHILOSOPHY

Within high school sport programs, young people learn the values associated with discipline,

performing under stress, teamwork, sacrifice, commitment, effort, accountability, citizenship,

sportsmanship, confidence, leadership and organizational skills, participating within rules,

physical well-being and healthy lifestyles, striving towards excellence, and many other

characteristics that come quickly to the mind of any educator. If interscholastic athletics are

to be justified as school activities, then values such as these must be the priorities of every

program. Ethics, playing within the spirit of the rules, and good sportsmanship (which is good

citizenship) must be woven into the fabric of the high school athletic program.

In the education of approximately 70% of the young people attending MIAA member schools,

athletic participation is a critical component. What should drive those responsible for student-

athletes and their programs is the educational mission of school activities. For many students,

the most stable environment in their lives is that provided by high school activity programs.

Often the best opportunities for crisis intervention, drug prevention, "day care" programs, and

the like are school activity programs. The cost is minimal, while the worth is maximal.

While winning contests, rather than losing them, is a laudable goal, it should not supersede

the primary priorities of high school sport programs. What should be the rationale behind

high school activities is preparing students to succeed rather than merely to win games. Win

or lose, students should learn lessons of a lasting and positive nature.

If the success of any high school athletic program is measured by an undefeated season, then

99% of the thousands of high school teams, which participate annually in Massachusetts, have

failed. If a league championship is the measure of success, then 85% of our programs are

failures. Even if success is measured merely by qualification for MIAA end-of-season

tournaments, then 50% of our students are "losers."

What should be encouraged is participation in varied activities under different teacher/coach

role models. The percentage of student-athletes who complete their formal athletic

experiences at the high school level is overwhelming (well in excess of 90%). Schools should

focus their attention upon goals other than championships or the development of "blue chip"

athletes. Young people need varied activities: time at the beach, time to study and, in fact,

time just to be kids.

Young people need to learn, to think, and simply to grow up. Schools should guide them,

through athletics, to allow that to happen as comfortably as possibly.


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WORTH REMEMBERING

The MIAA is an organization of public and private high schools.

MIAA approves and sponsors athletic activities in 33 sports (34 sports beginning with

the 2016-17 season), involving more than 200,000 young men and women who compete in

approximately 100,000 competitions annually.

Governance and administration of MIAA is shared among members of the Massachusetts

Association of School Committees, Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents,

high school administrators, athletic directors, coaches, game officials, and licensed

physicians; all of whom serve without compensation on more than thirty-five MIAA

standing committees.

MIAA Educational Athletic programs are at the cutting edge of national efforts in these

critically important areas to young people.

High school activity programs are an integral part of the total education process. Successful

interscholastic athletic programs teach young people values such as:

Accepting success graciously Physical well-being and Chemical Health

Accountability Respect

Citizenship and Sportsmanship Responsibility

Confidence Sacrificing for the common good

Handling disappointment Self-discipline

Leadership skills Social skills

Organizational skills Striving towards excellence

Participating within rules Taking instruction

Performing under pressure Teamwork

Persistence Work ethic

Grade point averages (GPA) of students improve during seasons in which they are

participating in athletics.

Approximately 70% of all students are participants in MIAA interscholastic athletic

programs.

Student-athletes have higher attendance and graduation rates than non-athletes.

95% of corporate officers report that they had participated in high school athletics.


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High school athletic programs are cost effective. They typically make up one to three

percent of the local school budget.

High school activity programs often represent the best drop-out prevention, crisis

intervention, day care, and drug prevention programs which a community can offer, and

the cost per student is minimal.

Students participate in high school athletics because they want to! This motivation should

be utilized to teach "life lessons."

School activities are "the other half of education" and "an extension of the classroom."

Athletic programs have no justification within a school if the young people participating

are not learning how to "win in life." Contests won or lost are not nearly as important as

the life lessons learned by the student participants.


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COACHES' CODE OF ETHICS

Each high school coach is first a TEACHER. The student-athlete is participating within the

school's activity program because he or she desires to do so. Consequently, that student is

often more attentive to a coach's lessons than to those offered by teachers in required courses.

The function of a interscholastic coach is to educate students in "LIFE LESSONS," through

their participation in educational athletics. Every student-athlete should be treated as though

they were the coach's own children. Their welfare must be uppermost at all times. The

following abridged guidelines for coaches have been adopted by the NFICA Board of Directors.

1. The coach must be aware that he or she has a tremendous influence, either for good or bad,

in the education of the student-athlete and, thus, shall never place the value of winning

above the value of instilling the highest desirable ideals of character.

2. In all personal contact with student-athletes, officials, athletic directors, school

administrators, the state high school athletic association, the media, and the public, the

coach shall strive to set an example of the highest ethical and moral conduct.

3. The coach shall take an active role in the prevention of drug, alcohol, and tobacco abuse,

and under no circumstances should authorize their use.

4. The coach shall promote the entire interscholastic program of the school and direct his or

her program in harmony with the total school program.

5. The coach shall be thoroughly acquainted with the contest rules and is responsible for their

interpretation to team members. The spirit and letter of rules should be regarded as

mutual agreements. The coach shall not try to seek an advantage by circumvention of the

spirit or letter of the rules.

6. Coaches shall actively use their influence to enhance sportsmanship in the broadest

possible manner.

7. Contest officials shall have the respect and support of the coach. The coach shall not

indulge in conduct, which will incite players or spectators against the officials. Public

criticism of officials or players is unethical.

8. A coach shall not exert pressure on faculty members to give student-athletes special

consideration.


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CONTEST OFFICIALS' CODE OF ETHICS

In 2001, the Officiating Development Alliance, a group of individuals representing various officiating organizations, such as the NFHS, NCAA, ASA, USSF, NFL, NBA, MLB and NASO, developed the Code of Conduct for Sports Officials. The Code outlines the personal responsibilities officials have to the game.

1. Officials shall bear a great responsibility for engendering public confidence in sports.

2. Officials shall be free of obligation to any interest other than the impartial and fair

judging of sports competitions.

3. Officials shall hold and maintain the basic tenets of officiating which include history,

integrity, neutrality, respect, sensitivity, professionalism, discretion and tactfulness.

4. Officials shall master both rules of the game and mechanics necessary to enforce the

rules, and shall exercise authority in an impartial, firm and controlled manner.

5. Officials shall uphold the honor and dignity of the profession in all interactions with

student-athletes, coaches, school administrators, colleagues and the public.

6. Officials shall display and execute superior communication skills, both verbal and non-

verbal.

7. Officials shall recognize that anything, which may lead to a conflict of interest, either real

or apparent, must be avoided. Gifts, favors, special treatment, privileges, employment or

a personal relationship with a school or team, which can compromise the perceived

impartiality of officiating, must be avoided.

8. Officials shall prepare themselves both physically and mentally, shall dress neatly and

appropriately, and shall comport themselves in a manner consistent with the high

standards of the profession.

9. Officials shall not be party to actions designed to unfairly limit or restrain access to

officiating, officiating assignments or to association membership. This includes selection

for positions of leadership based upon economic factors, race, creed, color, age, sex,

physical handicap, country or national origin.

10. Officials shall be punctual and professional in the fulfillment of all contractual

obligations.

11. Officials shall work with each other and their governing bodies in a constructive and

cooperative manner.

12. Officials shall resist every temptation and outside pressure to use one’s position as an

official to benefit oneself.

13. Officials shall never participate in any form of illegal gambling on a sports contest, may

never gamble on any sporting event in which they have either a direct or indirect

involvement, and may never gamble on events involving high school athletics.

14. Officials shall not make false or misleading statements regarding their qualifications,

rating, credentials, experience, training or competence.

15. Officials shall accept responsibility for all actions taken.


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Part I - Governance of Interscholastic Athletics

This section provides information dealing with the manner in which the MIAA is

regulated. Definitions and explanations of the important groups within the MIAA

structure are explained in this section.

Topic Page

A. Legend ................................................................................................................................. 14

B. Overview .............................................................................................................................. 14

C. The Assembly ....................................................................................................................... 14

D. The Board of Directors ........................................................................................................ 14

E. The Officers ......................................................................................................................... 14

F. The Executive Director ........................................................................................................ 15

G. Eligibility Review Board, Standing, and District Athletic Committees ............................. 15

H. Sportsmanship Committee .................................................................................................. 16

I. Game Officials’ Committee .................................................................................................. 16

J. Sports Medicine Committee ................................................................................................ 16

K. Educational Athletics Committee........................................................................................ 16

L. Tournament Management Committee ................................................................................ 16

M. Voting Committee Members ................................................................................................ 16

N. Member School .................................................................................................................... 17

O. Constitutional Organization Chart ..................................................................................... 18

P. The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Council (MIAC) ............................................. 19

Q. The National Federation of State High School Associations .............................................. 19

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http://www.miaa.net/gen/miaa_generated_bin/documents/menu/MIAAGovernance.pdf


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PART I: GOVERNANCE OF INTERSCHOLASTIC

ATHLETICS

A. Legend

MASC Massachusetts Association of School Committees

MASS Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents

MIAA Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association

MIAC Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Council

MSSAA Massachusetts Secondary School Administrators' Association

MSSADA Massachusetts Secondary School Athletic Directors' Association

PRINCIPAL A principal or assistant principal of a member school

B. Overview

For the governance of interscholastic athletics in the Commonwealth, the MSSPA was

the policy-making body from 1942 to 1950, and the regulatory body from 1942 to 1978.

Since 1950 the MIAC has been the high school athletic rules-making and final appellate

body of the MIAA. Since July 1, 1978, the MIAA Board of Directors has been the

administrative and regulatory body for conducting athletic events, contests, and

tournaments, for enforcing rules, and for recommending changes in rules to the MIAC.

The ASSEMBLY of principals is the legislative body of the MIAA.

C. The Assembly

The ASSEMBLY consists of the principal or designee of the principal of each member

institution.

D. The Board of Directors

The 20 regular voting members of the Board of Directors consists of eight members

elected by the MSSAA (one from each athletic district), two elected by the MASC, two

by the MASS, and eight by the MSSADA. Eight athletic directors, representing districts

A through H, must be members of the Board at all times. The term of each member is

three years. A minimum of four women, and at least one minority, must be members of

the Board at all times. Employees of the Association starting on or after 8/13/2014 are

not eligible to serve as voting members of the Board.

E. The Officers

The President and Vice President of the Board of Directors are elected by the Assembly

from members of the Board. The President presides at Board meetings, the Annual

Meeting, and all special meetings of the Association. The term of each office is one year,

with the possibility of only one re-election.


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F. The Executive Director The Board appoints the Executive Director. The Executive Director is the chief

executive officer of the Association and has charge and direction of the day-to-day

operation of the Association, acting at all times in accordance with the established

policies of the Association as interpreted by the Board of Directors.

The Executive Director is a non-voting member of the MIAC and of the Board of

Directors, serves as an ex-officio member of each committee, and is elected for a

continuous term with regular review.

G. Eligibility Review Board, Standing, and District Athletic Committees

The Board of Directors delegates:

* to the MIAA ELIGIBILITY REVIEW BOARD (ERB) all appeals from executive

decisions on requests for individual student waivers of eligibility rules, as well as for

individual one year student contest disqualifications. Each appeal hearing is

presented before a three-member subcommittee of the ERB.

* to 25 plus statewide STANDING COMMITTEES responsibility for specific functions

involved in the proper administration of the Association's responsibilities.

* to the DISTRICT ATHLETIC COMMITTEES (DAC) the supervision of athletics and

the adjudication of protests, disputes, conflicts or controversies within their districts.

They also serve as the Nominating Committee of the Association, and directly

appoint a principal and athletic director to each MIAA Sport Committee. They

control the alignment or realignment of Leagues, approve all co-operative (click

icons) and middle school on high school team’s requests within their districts, and

play an important role in the Rules Change Process, given that they have the

opportunity to review all input on each rule before recommending a position to the

Board of Directors. The Board of Directors or Executive Director may request them

to “fact find” or to conduct hearings with regard to alleged rule violations. That

authority also permits District Athletic Committees to determine and enforce

appropriate penalties.

District Athletic Committees will be comprised of either a principal or athletic

director, annually nominated by each league in that district, and elected by the

Board of Directors. Membership on each district athletic committee must be evenly

divided between principals and athletic directors. On district committees with an

uneven number of members, principals whenever possible shall sit in the majority.

Each DAC shall elect its chair annually. In districts of fewer than five leagues, the

district committee will consist of five members, with each "division" being

represented by at least one member.

I

I

http://miaa.net/gen/miaa_generated_bin/documents/basic_module/CooperativeTeamGuide.pdf

http://www.schtools.net/membersnew/documents/MIAA/MIAA-Handbook-icon-sport-committees.pdf


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H. Sportsmanship, Integrity & Ethics Committee

Membership of the Sportsmanship, Integrity & Ethics Committee elected by the

Assembly consists of one principal and one athletic director from each of the eight

athletic districts except District E which has two principals and two athletic directors;

two coaches, and two enrolled game officials representing boys’ and girls’ activities, in

addition to one school committee member and one superintendent elected or appointed

by their respective associations.

I. Game Officials’ Committee

Membership of the Game Officials Committee (GOC) consists of five school committee

members, five school superintendents, five principals, and five athletic directors. Game

officials representing each sport which has elected to enroll with the MIAA serve as non-

voting advisors to the GOC.

J. Sports Medicine Committee

Membership of the Sports Medicine Committee (SMC) consists of at least one principal

or athletic director from each of the eight MIAA districts, one school committee member,

one school superintendent, and a number of sports specialists who are licensed

physicians or certified athletic trainers. Two game officials and two coaches (in each

case one representing boys’ sports and one representing girls’' sports) may serve on the

SMC.

K. Educational Athletic Committee

This broad-based committee supports student program initiatives through both the

MIAA and the MSSAA.

L. Tournament Management Committee

Membership of the Tournament Management Committee (TMC) consists of one

principal and one athletic director from each of the eight athletic districts, except

District E which has two principals and two athletic directors; one school committee

member; one school superintendent; and one coach.

M. Voting Committee Members

All voting members of committees, boards, and the Council must be affiliated with a

MIAA member school except for licensed physicians and game officials (who must be

enrolled with the MIAA).

The voting membership of the 20 standing sport committees is one principal ("principal"

may be either a principal or assistant principal who spends at least 50% of his/her time

in duties related to the general administration of the school) and one athletic director

from each athletic district, except District E which has two principals and two athletic


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directors appointed to each committee; one school superintendent; one school committee

member; as well as one or two coaches and enrolled game officials.

N. Member School

Any public or private high school (defined as a school which includes grade 12 and which

has a single principal, graduation, valedictorian, class rank, yearbook, etc.) in

Massachusetts approved by the MIAA Board of Directors and fulfilling the conditions

for membership receives all the rights, privileges, and benefits of the Association.


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http://www.miaa.net/gen/miaa_generated_bin/documents/menu/MIAAGovernance.pdf


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P. The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Council (MIAC)

The 18 voting members of the MIAC consist of five members from the MASC, five from

the MASS, one from the MSSADA, two from the middle level, and five MIAA member

school principals. The term of each member is three years. A member from the MASC

serves as chair. The Executive Director of the MIAA serves as secretary.

Before any question of policy is presented to the MIAC for its action, it is carefully

considered by the Board of Directors. Rule changes are not final until approved by the

MIAC.

Meetings of the MIAC are held in the Fall and Spring each year. In addition, meetings

are called when necessary to consider urgent matters of business. Appeals on eligibility

rulings for individual athletes are heard by a three member subcommittee of the MIAC

which serves as the MIAC Appeals Committee. Appeals affecting more than one athlete

are heard by the entire MIAC.

Q. The National Federation of State High School Associations

The National Federation consists of the state high school associations of all 50 states

and the District of Columbia.

The objectives of the Federation are to:

* serve, protect, and enhance the interstate activity interests of the high schools

belonging to state associations;

* sponsor meetings, publications, and activities which will permit each state

association to profit by the experience of all other member associations;

* formulate, copyright, and publish rules of play or event conduct pertaining to

interscholastic activities;

* preserve interscholastic athletic records, and the tradition and heritage of

interscholastic sports;

* provide programs, services, material, and assistance to state associations, high

schools, and individual professionals involved in the conduct and administration

of interscholastic activities;

* study in general all phases of interscholastic activities and serve as a national

resource for information pertaining thereto;

* identify needs and problems related to interscholastic activities and where

practical provide solutions thereto; and

* promote the educational values of interscholastic activities to the nation's public.

Eligibility

Review

Board


20

Part II - Definitions and Policies

In this section the reader can find definitions and/or policy statements pertaining to the following items:

Rule Number Page

1. Every Participant must be a School Team Member ........................................................ 21

2. School Team ..................................................................................................................... 21

3. Adult Representation ........................................................................................................ 21

4. Addressing the MIAC, Board of Directors, and Association Standing Committees ........ 21

5. Medical Coverage ............................................................................................................. 21

6. Parental Permission ......................................................................................................... 22

7. Missing or Diseased Paired Organ .................................................................................. 22

8. Return to Athletic Participation ....................................................................................... 22

9. Athletes’ Assembly ............................................................................................................ 22

10. Academic Awards ............................................................................................................. 22

11. Sportsmanship Awards ..................................................................................................... 22

12. School Attendance Policies .............................................................................................. 22

13. Equipment ......................................................................................................................... 23

14. Private Promoters and Sponsors ...................................................................................... 23

15. Transportation .................................................................................................................. 23

16. Medical Emergency Evacuation/Thunder & Lightning ................................................. 23

17. Protested Contests............................................................................................................. 24

18. Cancelled Season Policy .................................................................................................. 24

19. Complimentary Tournament Passes ................................................................................ 24

20. Statewide Coaches’ Organizations .................................................................................. 24

21. Definition of a Jamboree ................................................................................................. 24

22. Definition of Scrimmage .................................................................................................. 24

23. Definition of Practice ....................................................................................................... 25

24. Captain’s Practice ............................................................................................................ 25

25. Victory Celebrations ......................................................................................................... 25

26. Club Teams ....................................................................................................................... 25

27. Conflict Of Interest Statement ......................................................................................... 26

28. Gender Equity and Leadership ........................................................................................ 26

29. Resolutions Regarding Litigation .................................................................................... 26

30. Unattached Athletes ......................................................................................................... 27

31. Precautions against the Transmission of Blood-Borne Pathogens................................ 28


21

PART II: DEFINITIONS AND POLICIES

1. Every Participant must be a School Team Member

"Each participant in an MIAA - sponsored interscholastic athletic event must be a

member of his/her recognized high school team in that sport." "Member" shall be defined

as a student who meets the standards of Rule 45, 51, 87 and 98.

2. School Team

2.1 A school team must be sponsored by and under the control of the school

committee and registered with the MIAA through the annual Institutional

Registration process. A school team must have: a coach(es) appointed by the

principal; a regular practice schedule through the season defined for that

sport; a meaningful schedule of contests through the season defined for that

sport; and school uniforms.

2.2 Teams not registered with the Association are not eligible for tournament

participation. All school teams must be registered with the Association during

the annual Institutional Registration renewal process.

3. Adult Representation

The principal, headmaster, or director of the school in all cases is responsible to the

Association for the acts of school teams and other school organizations. All teams and

individual participants must have adult representation present and responsible for

them at all times. Such adult representation must be an employee or a designated

representative of the school district. If the representative is not the coach of record,

then the designee must provide written introduction on school letterhead, signed by the

principal, or the student(s) will not be permitted to participate. Must have game

coverage (other than the coach) at varsity boys’ soccer, varsity boys’ & girls’ basketball,

and varsity boys’ & girls’ ice hockey.

4. Addressing the MIAC, Board of Directors, and Association Standing

Committees

The MIAC, Board of Directors, and Association standing committees will provide time

at the start of each meeting for statements from the audience. Individuals must notify

the MIAA Office a week in advance of their wish to speak. Speakers are to limit their

remarks to three minutes.

5. Medical Coverage

Each member school should employ a licensed certified athletic trainer. Licensed

physicians, trainers, and coaches should receive sport medicine training. Schools’ must

have medical coverage at all levels of football and rugby contests and at varsity boys’

and girls’ ice hockey games per sport rules. Revised 3/16/17


22

6. Parental Permission

Principals should secure from each athlete's parent written consent to participate in

interscholastic sports. Eligibility rules and an assumption of risk statement should be

part of this form. Some sports may require individual waivers.

7. Missing or Diseased Paired Organ

To participate in interscholastic athletics, an athlete with a missing or diseased paired

organ must provide his/her principal with a parental permission form and a medical

specialist's written permission to participate. Such an athlete must wear during all

practices and competitions the protective equipment recommended by the specialist.

Copies of permission and authorization should be filed with the MIAA Sports Medical

Committee.

8. Return to Athletic Participation

Subsequent to any serious injury and prior to further participation in that sport, an

athlete should receive a medical release from a licensed physician. Schools should use

the MIAA Return to Athletic Participation Form for this purpose (for more information

on Concussion return see Rule 56).

9. Athletes' Assembly

Prior to each season, every school should hold an Athletes' Assembly planned by the

principal, athletic director, head coaches, and medical personnel to discuss policies,

liability, sportsmanship, safety, and wellness. One parent or guardian should attend

with each athlete.

10. Academic Awards

The Association provides Certificates of Achievement to all student-athletes and to the

school for each team that achieves a minimum combined GPA of 3.00 (gold) or 2.50

(silver). Principal or Athletic Director should determine and request via MIAA.

11. Sportsmanship Awards

The Association provides Certificates of Achievement to individuals, teams and schools

that demonstrate notable qualities of exemplary citizenship or leadership. Principal or

Athletic Director should determine and request via MIAA.

12. School Attendance Policies

Each school should establish school/class attendance requirements for participation in

athletic practices and competitions provided that such requirements are not in conflict

with MIAA rules and regulations.

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13. Equipment

Schools should ascertain that all athletic equipment is in first-class condition and that

no defective equipment is used.

14. Private Promoters and Sponsors

In any activity involving one or more MIAA members, schools should not endorse any

private promotion and/or sponsorship, which might result in the exploitation of students

or direct financial gain to the promoter or sponsor.

Schools should refer to the MIAA Office -- and when appropriate to the Board of

Directors -- all outside financial offers for supporting athletic programs among several

school districts.

15. Transportation

Schools should transport teams by such common carriers as bus lines, vans, or taxi cabs.

They should discourage the use of private cars.

16. Medical Emergency Evacuation/Thunder & Lightning

16.1 Each school must have a written medical emergency response plan in

accordance with MA General Laws Chapter 69, Sec. 8A that was enacted on

April 18, 2012. Click here to access the Medical Emergency Law.

16.2 Thunder or lightning necessitates that all outdoor practices and competitions

be suspended.

16.2.1 Each Member School shall have a plan for shelter prior to the start

of any contest.

16.2.2 When thunder is heard or when lightning is seen, the following

procedures must be executed:

16.2.2.1 Suspend play and direct participants to the previously

identified shelter, a building normally occupied by the

public or if a building is unavailable, participants should

go inside a vehicle with a solid metal top (e.g. bus, van,

car).

16.2.2.2 Do not permit people to stand under or near a tree; and

have all stay away from poles, antennas, towers and

underground watering systems.

http://www.malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartI/TitleXII/Chapter69/Section8A


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16.2.2.3 After thunder and/or lightning has left the area, wait 30

minutes after the last boom is heard or strike is seen before

resuming play or competition.

17. Protested Contests

Protests during contests will be addressed according to the national code adopted for

play in each MIAA sponsored interscholastic activity. All results shall be final when the

contest has been concluded by the game officials.

18. Canceled Season Policy

A school which cancels a sport prior to an official contest being conducted will not forfeit

any wins to its anticipated opponents. (Opponents in this case may request MIAA

extensions for finalizing that sport's scheduling.) A school which cancels a sport after

completing at least one official contest must forfeit wins to its remaining scheduled

opponents. (Schools do not have the option of rescheduling other opponents in this case.)

19. Complimentary Tournament Passes

19.1 Complimentary tournament passes will be issued by the Association to each

member school in numbers approved by the Board of Directors.

19.2 MIAA gold lifetime passes are to be honored at all activities.

20. Statewide Coaches' Organizations

To be eligible to serve on MIAA committees and to act on rule changes, each state

coaches' organization must submit a list of their officers to the MIAA Executive Director

by June 1st of each year.

21. Definition of a Jamboree

A jamboree is a sport competition involving any number of schools in which students

participate as a unit representing their own school. Game-day uniforms may be worn.

Only one jamboree may be conducted per season. Competition may be no more than one-

half of the length of a regular season contest, and the jamboree must be conducted

within three weeks of the first day of practice. Golf must have 5 calendar days of

practice, football must have 11 days of practice, and all other sports must have 8

calendar days of practice, prior to the jamboree. PLAY-DAYS must conform to all

criteria of either a scrimmage or jamboree.

22. Definition of Scrimmage

A team is not allowed to have an interscholastic scrimmage which will not count against

the game limitation rules unless the scrimmage meets the following conditions:


25

22.1 A scrimmage is competition among any number of schools where no

admission is charged; no game-day uniform is worn; score is kept only by

segments; and the event is intended to be a practice, with instruction

occurring during competition. PLAY-DAYS must conform to all criteria of

either a scrimmage or jamboree.

22.2 If any of these restrictions are violated, the meeting must be counted as a game

and will count toward the total number of interscholastic contests for that

sport.

22.3 An "exhibition game" must be counted in the season limitation for the sport,

except for an alumni or faculty-student game.

22.4 Ineligible students are NOT allowed to participate in scrimmages/play-

days/jamborees.

22.5 Scrimmages may be held at any time during the season.

23. Definition of Practice

A practice is a reporting of a group of potential athletes who are under the direct or

indirect supervision of a member of the high school coaching staff, and who are receiving

instruction in game skills or techniques.

24. Captain's Practice

The term "Captain's Practice" usually means the team's captain(s) organizing and

conducting, without adult supervision, out-of-season practice for that sport.

The MIAA does not in any way sanction, encourage, or condone "Captain's Practice" in

any sport. "Captain's Practice", depending on the member school's involvement, may be

a clear violation of the rule defining season limitations.

There is also a serious practical consideration. If it can be demonstrated that a school

is allowing "Captain's Practice", the liability responsibility for an injured athlete may

be quite serious.

25. Victory Celebrations

Student-athletes should be apprised of the potential for injury associated with activities

such as "piling on."

26. Club Teams

Confusion and problems are always associated with club teams. The term "club team"

would be best not used due to the confusion it creates (See Rule 32.12). All teams which

represent the school or compete with other school teams must comply with all

Association rules.

Revised 11/2/15


26

27. Conflict Of Interest Statement

The Board of Directors requires that each person serving as a committee member, agent,

or employee of the MIAA perform his or her duties without influence, or the appearance

of influence, by any other business or financial interest.

Potential conflicts of interest include, but are not limited to, a person's financial or

personal interest being affected by a decision of a committee on which the person serves.

The MIAA is not critical of such interests. It merely requests that persons disqualify

themselves from service to the MIAA on matters relating to such interests.

If a member of the Board of Directors or of any MIAA Committee, or any agent or

employee of the MIAA, should have or develop a conflict of interest, such person shall

immediately identify the conflict and remove himself or herself from any discussion or

decisions involving the matter in conflict.

28. Gender Equity and Leadership

28.1 The values of female role models and future opportunities for women are

important to high school athletic programs and their governance. This role

modeling will demonstrate to girls’ that they can become leaders who will have

impact upon the lives of others. Adult women should inspire female student-

athletes in a manner that will ensure broadened participation of women in

future programs. Female student-athletes should have female role models in

leadership and decision-making positions.

28.2 It has been resolved by the MIAA Assembly that coaches' and game officials'

organizations encourage and recruit women with leadership interests or

abilities. The names of such women should be forwarded to the MIAA

Nominating Committee as potential committee members for service on MIAA

administrative and standing committees with responsibilities for female

student-athletes.

28.3 The Association will rely on the gender determination made by the student’s

district; it will not make separate gender identity determinations.

29. Resolutions Regarding Litigation

29.1 (This Resolution was adopted by a vote of 155-7 during the 15th Annual Meeting

of the MIAA on April 9, 1993.)

The administration and management of interscholastic athletics should not be

a function of the courts. Legal costs associated with litigation against the MIAA

impact every high school that is a member of MIAA. Therefore, the Board of

Directors is empowered to seek legal fees and associated costs from any member

school that has unsuccessfully brought litigation against the Association. For

the purpose of this Rule, litigation is unsuccessful unless the plaintiff

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school/district receives final judgment on the merits of its claim in its favor, and

this judgment is upheld in any subsequent judicial appeal by the MIAA. The

Board of Directors is also empowered to seek reimbursement of legal fees and

associated costs from any institution seeking membership that has

unsuccessfully brought litigation against the Association.

29.2 Court Orders and Resultant Forfeitures

(This Resolution was approved by a vote of 143-17 during the 22nd Annual

Meeting of the MIAA on April 6, 2000).

In the interest of fairness to all students, any contest in which an ineligible

student or coach participates under court order will be forfeited if the order is

dissolved or the plaintiff ultimately fails to prevail.

29.3 Court Orders and Tournament Seeding

Student or teams that have gained court injunctions forcing their entry into

MIAA tournaments will be seeded last.

30. Unattached Athletes

Unattached athletes may not participate in any MIAA-sponsored or MIAA-sanctioned

event. Those who know the values associated with school activities recognize that

complete participation is a primary goal. Season-long participation provides young

people with exposure to wellness strategies and education, sportsmanship and

citizenship, leadership, and other significant lessons or values that are best taught in

the “laboratory" of school activities over a period of days, weeks, and months.

An unattached athlete is not a school activity participant, but rather is an individual

single event athlete. Association tournaments were developed for season-long school

participants who practice and compete season long with their own high school teams.

The adoption of, and subsequent strong support for, the bona fide team member placed

emphasis on keeping student-athletes involved daily in "the other half of education."

To quote from the MIAA tournament philosophy: ". . .The purpose of tournaments is to

permit qualifying schools and individuals who have achieved an established standard

of excellence during that sport season to compete in championship tournaments. . . Care

always must be taken to maintain the integrity and importance of regular season

activity so that the tournament will serve only as a culminating athletic activity for

those who have demonstrated a level of excellence during their regular season."

The MIAA should not be providing the ultimate spotlight for young people who have not

been part of their school program. These individuals often have prepared themselves

outside of the parameters, limitations, rules, and regulations of high school activities.

Previous to the adoption of this policy, unattached athletes dominated high school


28

tournament events, which were designed as a conclusion to the high school season for

season-long participants.

A disproportionate amount of confusion, misunderstandings, hurt feelings, and anger

have resulted from improper procedures, representation, or supervision of unattached

tournament athletes. The potential liability issues raised by unattached regular and

tournament season involvement are significant. Past experiences established that it

was difficult to monitor rules evenly among all student-athletes.

Local energies should be focused in ways that cause support for programs of interest to

the young people in that school, thereby truly increasing participation opportunities. To

allow for unattached tournament participation may subtly set up a scenario for fewer

opportunities. Furthermore, unattached tournament participation is not possible in

many Association-sponsored sports, thereby creating an inconsistency affecting many

students, were some form of unattached participation to be permitted.

A school community determines the nature of its schoolhouse which includes co-

curricular offerings desired and to be provided. This process identifies each school's

athletic program. The school joins the MIAA and submits this identification of its

program. The MIAA then provides support and services to that school in all of, but

only in, the program areas which the school chooses to sponsor. (At this time

approximately 225,000 students annually are participating in sport programs

sponsored within their own high schools and approved by MIAA.) The MIAA respects

this local autonomy which defines the boundaries of a school's athletic program for all

of its students. Opportunities exist in non-school sport programs for students who

wish to pursue an activity not sponsored at his/her high school.

31. Precautions Against the Transmission of Blood-Borne Pathogens

31.1 Before competing, cover any open wound.

31.2 Whenever possible, athletes should treat and cover their own wounds.

31.3 When rendering first aid to others, wear protective gloves at any time blood,

body fluid containing visible blood, open wounds, or mucous membranes are

involved.

31.4 If an individual gets someone else's blood or other body fluid containing visible

blood on his/her skin, the area should be washed with a solution known to

inactivate blood-borne pathogens.

31.5 If blood or other body fluids containing visible blood are present during practice

or competition, activity should be halted, and the injured athlete(s) given

proper attention. Any contaminated surfaces should be cleaned.

31.6 Wash your hands with soap and water immediately after exposure to blood or

other body fluid.


29

31.7 Do not use common towels to clean surfaces contaminated with blood or other

body fluid containing blood.

31.8 Wash all soiled uniforms, towels, etc. in warm or hot, soapy, water.

31.9 In general, use good hygienic practices.


30

Part III - General Rules

This section includes rules of a general nature that affect all schools and all athletic

contests that are played under MIAA rules.

Rule Number Page

32. Application of Rules ........................................................................................... 31

33. Coaches’ Education ............................................................................................ 32

34. Recognized Sports and Scheduling Limits for Schools ..................................... 33

35. Starting and Closing Dates for Contests ........................................................... 35

36. Multiple School Events: Involving Only MIAA Member Schools ..................... 36

37. Interstate Competition........................................................................................ 37

38. All Star Games ................................................................................................... 37

39. Competition with Non-Member Schools ............................................................ 38

40. Out-of-Season Coach-Athlete Contact Limitations ............................................ 38

41. Subsidizing Out-of-Season Activities ................................................................. 40

42. League Membership Changes ............................................................................ 41

43. Boys’ and Girls’ on the Same Team ................................................................... 42

44. Recruitment ........................................................................................................ 44


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PART III: GENERAL RULES

32. Application of Rules

32.1 As a condition of a high school's participation in interscholastic athletics under

MIAA Rules and Regulations, prior to the first fall season contest, each

principal and athletic director must read entirely, understand, abide by, and

be prepared to enforce all rules, regulations, and policies contained within this

Handbook. Only the Board of Directors, executive staff, or their designees may

interpret or clarify rules of the Association. All disputes will be resolved by

the executive staff or Board of Directors. The principal and athletic director

must assure that each member of the school's coaching staff is knowledgeable

of, and will enforce, all requirements contained therein. (It also is helpful to

have the guidance staff familiar with student eligibility rules.)

By MIAA Board of Directors’ policy, Principals and Athletic Directors new to

the position or new to the position in Massachusetts must attend an MIAA

Rules Workshop within a year of their appointment.

32.2 Association rules apply to all teams and individuals, in all interscholastic

contests, at all levels of competition.

32.3 In order to be eligible to represent a MIAA member school in athletic contests,

teams and contestants must conform to all Association rules.

32.4 Postponed contests should be immediately re-scheduled on the first day that

the teams do not have a scheduled competition.

32.5 In the case of a postponed contest or one which results in a tie, the eligibility

of participants does not hold over until the contest is actually played. The

students who participate in any contest must be eligible by all rules on the

date when the contest is held.

32.6 No special privileges such as extra examinations, delayed marks, makeup

opportunities, or other opportunities not granted to every student in the school

are to be granted to athletes.

32.7 Whether or not their opponents are MIAA members, all member schools must

conform in each contest to all Association rules. MIAA member school teams

may not compete against teams that do not represent a school.

32.8 A principal may not make a private agreement with another school or any

other party to evade MIAA rules. Regarding the participation of ineligible

students, no ineligible individual may participate in any inter-school

competition (including scrimmages) regardless of any proposed agreement

I I

http://miaa.net/gen/miaa_generated_bin/documents/basic_module/GuidelinesCertifyingEligibility.pdf

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between competing schools that his/her results would not be counted.

"Exhibition" or "unattached" participation is prohibited.

32.9 The Board of Directors or executive staff must approve all experimental rules

or exceptions. Experimental rules shall have an effective limit of one year.

32.10 Neither member schools nor school committees may make rules that are in

any way less restrictive than those of the MIAA. More stringent rules may

be adopted locally.

32.11 A member school must report suspected rule violations to: the principal(s) of

the school(s) involved; the president of the league; the District Athletic Chair;

and the MIAA Executive Director.

32.12 In all interscholastic contests any team organized in the name of the school or

funded in whole or in part by the school must represent the school in

accordance with all MIAA rules. “Club teams" may not operate outside

Association rules. See Rule 26.

33. Coaches’ Education

All coaches hired prior to August 1, 1998 are exempt from taking the Fundamentals of

Coaching Course. Coaches hired after 8/1/98 and before 7/1/05 must complete the

NFHS Fundamentals of Coaching Course with the exception of Certified MA teachers.

All MIAA member school coaches (stipend or volunteer) are required to take annually

the on-line National Federation Concussion Course, or other MA Department of Public

Health recognized education program, prior to the start of their season. Rugby

Coaches must see Rule 76.2 for additional coaches’ education information.

All coaches (stipend or volunteer) first serving as an interscholastic coach after July 1,

2005 must complete the National Federation of High Schools, NFHS Fundamentals of

Coaching Course taught by an MIAA Instructor, (must be passed prior to coaching a

second year) and an approved Sports First Aid course (NFHS, American Red Cross or

American Heart Assoc. and must be passed prior to coaching a third year).

All coaches (stipend or volunteer) first serving as an interscholastic coach after July 1,

2007 must complete the NFHS Fundamentals of Coaching Course, an approved Sports

First Aid course and the NFHS Sport Specific Technical and Tactical Skills Course in

the sport they are coaching (must be completed prior to coaching a third year). Note:

The sport-specific requirement began on July 1, 2007 or when each particular sport-

specific course becomes available, if after this date.

NFHS Sport Specific Technical and Tactical Skills Courses presently available:

Baseball, Basketball, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Boys’ Lacrosse, Girls’ Lacrosse,

Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Wrestling, Volleyball, Cheer & Dance, and Track and Field.

I

Revised 3/16/17

http://www.schtools.net/membersnew/documents/MIAA/Rule33-Clarification.pdf


33

The NFHS Fundamentals of Coaching Course requirement must be met through

attending an MIAA sponsored Fundamentals of Coaching Class with MIAA Certified

Instructors.

The NFHS Sports First Aid and Sport Specific requirement may be met by completing

on-line courses with the NFHS http://www.nfhslearn.com.

34. Recognized Sports, And Scheduling Limits for Schools

Maximum # of Competitions

Boy’s Sport Per Season Per Week

Alpine Skiing 16 3

Baseball 20 3

Basketball 20 3

Cross Country 16 3

Football 11 1

Golf 20 4

Gymnastics 18 2

Ice Hockey 20 3

Indoor Track 16 3

Lacrosse 20 3

Nordic Skiing 16 3

Outdoor Track 16 3

Rugby 8 1

Soccer 18 3

Swimming 18 3

Tennis 20 3

Volleyball 20 3

Wrestling 20 2 Maximum # of Competitions

Girls’’ Sport Per Season Per Week

Alpine Skiing 16 3

Basketball 20 3

Cross Country 16 3

Field Hockey 18 3

Golf 20 4

Gymnastics 18 2

Ice Hockey 20 3

Indoor Track 16 3

Lacrosse 20 3

Nordic Skiing 16 3

Outdoor Track 16 3

Rugby 8 1

Soccer 18 3

Softball 20 3

Swimming 18 3

Revised 3/15/17

http://www.nfhslearn.com/


34

Tennis 20 3

Volleyball 20 3

Wrestling 20 2

34.1 The number of events per season and per week that a school may schedule

includes dual, league, multi-school, and interstate competition in which a

team or any individual representing a school may compete. Exceptions: In

cross country, indoor, and outdoor track, MIAA approved interstate

competitions after the MIAA sponsored state tournaments will not count

toward the maximum number of competitions permitted within the season.

34.1.1 Also exempt is approved participation in tournaments sponsored by the

Council of New England Secondary School Principals' Associations.

34.1.2 In swim, a multi-school event may be held on a non-school day during

a week in which two dual meets have been scheduled.

34.1.3 Game Exclusion Notice: Member Schools may exceed the maximum

number of seasonal competitions by two and exceed the weekly limit

by one, when scheduling contests with the approved exclusion schools

(click here for list). Excluded schools are only allowed to play the

maximum number of seasonal competitions and may compete against

each other, and at least one of these member schools must count the

event toward tournaments (if in the same league, both schools must

count). This exclusion form NEEDS only to be executed when you

choose NOT to count, toward tournament qualification and seeding,

contests with these schools. Form must be completed and received in

the MIAA Office before the first allowable date for competition in that

sport.

34.2 The number of events per week in cross country may be two duals and one

multi-school event or two multi-school events and one dual meet; in indoor

and outdoor track, two duals and one multi-school event are permitted.

34.3 Skiing shall be considered a single sport with two recognized disciplines

(Nordic and Alpine). The maximum number of competitions per season and

per week remains as listed above. Whether student-athletes remain

committed to one discipline or choose to participate in both, they remain

limited to no more than three events per week.

34.4 A week shall run from Sunday through Saturday except in football which runs

from Saturday through Friday. Exception: Thanksgiving and Friday evening

football games.

34.5 Member schools may exceed the above designated number of competitions per

week when game postponements dictate exceeding the above number.

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35. Starting and Closing Dates for Tryouts, Practices, and Contests

35.1 Fall practice may begin for all teams as early as the second Thursday preceding

Labor Day (i.e., August 24, 2017; August 23, 2018; August 22, 2019). No team may

have more than ten single practice sessions (i.e., "double sessions" count as two

single practice sessions) through and including the Friday prior to Labor Day.

Football teams must precede their initial “full contact” practice with an

additional five days of single conditioning and “limited contact” sessions.

These practices can begin on the third Friday prior to Labor Day (August

18, 2017) and practice is not permitted on Sundays prior to Labor Day

(August 20, August 27, and September 3, 2017).

The Fall season must end with completion of the regular season varsity schedule

except for the varsity team or individual students completing their participation

in the MIAA tournament. Sub-varsity teams or individual athletes may

participate after the completion of the regular season varsity schedule to complete

their season schedule (maximum of two weeks beyond varsity schedule

completion) or to practice with the varsity team providing it has qualified for the

MIAA tournament.

35.1.1 Fall sports include cross country, field hockey, football, gymnastics

(west), soccer, girls’ swimming, and girls’ volleyball. A school may

offer golf in either Fall or Spring, but not both. Girls’ swim may be

a Fall or Winter sport, but not both. When schools offer both girls’

and boys’ swim, students must swim on the team of their gender.

35.2 The Winter season must not begin before the first Monday after Thanksgiving.

Winter sports include skiing, basketball, ice hockey, gymnastics, swimming

(see Rule 35.1.1), indoor track, and wrestling. The Winter season must end

with completion of the regular varsity season schedule, except for the varsity

team or individual students completing their participation in the MIAA

tournament. Exception: The Nordic ski season must end by the Saturday

preceding the third Monday in March. Sub-varsity teams or individual athletes

may participate after the completion of the regular season varsity schedule to

complete their season schedule (maximum of two weeks beyond varsity

schedule completion) or to practice with the varsity team providing it has

qualified for the MIAA tournament.

35.3 The Spring season must not begin before the third Monday in March. Spring

sports include baseball, girls’ wrestling, golf (See Rule 35.1.1), lacrosse, rugby

(starting in 2017), softball, tennis, boys’ volleyball, and outdoor track. The

Spring season must end with completion of the regular season varsity schedule

except for the varsity team or individual students completing their

participation in the MIAA tournament. Sub-varsity teams or individual

athletes may participate after the completion of the regular season varsity

schedule to complete their season schedule (maximum of two weeks beyond

varsity schedule completion) or to practice with the varsity team providing it

has qualified for the MIAA tournament.

35.4 Initial date for competition.

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35.4.1 The first team competition may not occur before the 11th calendar

day after and including the first day of practice except golf, which

may not occur until after seven calendar days from the first practice.

35.4.2 In football each participant must have fifteen days of practice, and

each wrestler must have ten days of practice, before competing in an

interscholastic contest. 35.4.3 In rugby each participant must have thirteen days of practice prior

to competition. The first three days are conditioning & technique.

Five of the following 10 days of practice are controlled contact.

36. Multiple School Events: Involving Only MIAA Member Schools

36.1 A member school may not participate in any form of inter school competition

involving eight or more schools or in all-star games unless the event has been

authorized by the Board of Directors through the executive staff. Exception:

Multiple-school events which are sponsored by a league or between two

leagues, and which include league members only. Any request for approval of

an event including eight or more schools must be submitted to the MIAA

executive staff at least 45 days prior to the scheduled event date. A listing of

approved events is printed on the MIAA Web page.

36.2 Sub-varsity multi-school events are not allowed. Exception: Swimming &

Diving, Track, Volleyball, Wrestling, and Cross Country sub-varsity multi-

school meets may be considered for approval unless (1) a team champion or

winner is determined, or (2) the meet is advertised as a tournament or

championship.

No sub-varsity competition in cross country, swimming & diving, track,

volleyball or wrestling, or any event which combines sub-varsity with varsity

level competition, will be approved which seems to establish champions or

which provides competitors with any award and/or recognition not provided to

all other participants equally.

36.3 Multi-school events may only be sponsored by a member school or league. The

principal of the host school must sign the application for school or league-

sponsored events, and he/she must retain ultimate responsibility for that

event.

36.4 No MIAA member school may schedule any activity which is a part of a double

header or multiple event that includes college or professional involvement

unless approved prior to the season by the MIAA Board of Directors or

executive staff.

36.5 Any event involving non-MIAA member schools (except those covered by Rule

39 and single contests with bordering state association member schools) must

be approved by the MIAA.

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VIOLATION of this rule may result in the elimination of the violating school from

participating in all multi-school events in any and all sports for one year from the date

of suspension.

37. Interstate Competition

37.1 The Board of Directors through the MIAA executive staff sanctions along with

the National Federation (NF) competition in any of the following contests:

37.1.1 Any interstate event in which four or more schools participate.

37.1.2 Any interstate event which involves schools from three or more state

high school associations.

(If all participating schools above are from states which border the host state,

only sanction by each state association is necessary.)

37.2 The MIAA must approve and receive NF approval for competition by a

member school with a school from a foreign country, except for 2-school or 3-

school competition with a school or schools from Canada(must follow Rule 39).

37.3 Member schools wishing to sponsor an interstate event must file appropriate

application forms at least 45 days prior to the scheduled event date.

37.4 The MIAA Board of Directors criteria for considering approval of interstate

contests are:

37.4.1 Participation involves no more than a one-day loss of school time.

37.4.2 No more than two consecutive days of competition are permitted.

37.4.3 The activity is sponsored by or under the ultimate control of

secondary school personnel.

37.4.4 The event only involves competition with schools that are members

of their state association or schools that have been approved for

competition by their state association.

PENALTY FOR VIOLATION: A member school which violates rules for interstate

competition may not participate in such competition in that sport for one year from the

date of the offense.

38. All Star Games

All Star games must be sponsored by a member school principal and directed by a

member school employee.

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38.1 Requests for Approval must be submitted 60 days before the event to the

executive staff. Exception: All Star games which include only students from

a single league or two leagues as recognized by the MIAA committee for that

sport.

38.2 Leagues may play one all-star game within a league and one all-star game

between two leagues, and these will not count toward the season schedule

limit for games.

38.3 All Star games must be played before the end of the MIAA Tournament for

that sport.

39. Competition with Non-Member Schools (includes “Approved” Schools that

are not Members, but are approved by their own High School State

Association as recognized by the National Federation).

39.1 Member schools may scrimmage or compete with non-member Massachusetts

schools or out-of-state schools that are not members of their own state high

school associations (but only if the school is ineligible for state association

membership and complies with that association’s conditions of alliance) only

if the chief administrator of the non-member school agrees in writing prior to

the start of the season that:

39.1.1 The non-member team will not include a player who exceeds the

MIAA age limit.

39.1.2 The length of periods will not exceed the maximum length

prescribed by the MIAA rules for that sport.

39.1.3 The competition adheres to all MIAA rules.

39.1.4 The principal of the member school involved sends a copy of this

written agreement to the MIAA Executive Director prior to the start

of the season.

39.1.5 Contests under these criteria do count toward the school’s weekly

and seasonal limits, but do not count toward tournament

qualification.

40. Out-of-Season Coach-Athlete Contact Limitations

40.1 Unless otherwise permitted in this rule, between seasons a coach may conduct

a meeting(s) with team candidates only to elect captains, collect equipment,

issue equipment, to provide for physical examinations, to conduct legitimate

fund-raising events, or to offer wellness workshops or activities.

40.2 A coach is defined as any paid or volunteer member of the athletic staff.

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40.3 The MIAA considers the last coach of record as holding that position until

replaced by the principal.

40.4 A coach may not directly or indirectly require an athlete to participate in a

sport or a training program outside of the MIAA defined sport season.

Voluntary conditioning sessions open equally to all students in a school and

which are entirely devoid of sports-specific activity may be conducted between

seasons provided no candidate is either required to participate or penalized

for not doing so.

A "candidate" is defined as:

40.4.1 A varsity or sub-varsity athlete who participated in a high school

program at some interscholastic level the previous year and has

eligibility remaining; or

40.4.2 A middle school student “selected” to participate in an out-of-season

program.

40.4.3 A sixth grade student in a 7-12 high school or an eighth grade

student in a 9-12 high school.

40.5 A high school coach may be employed by a park or recreation department or

other organization or may volunteer for such a group to teach his/her sport

out-of-season provided the following conditions exist:

40.5.1 No candidate may either be required to attend or be penalized for

not attending.

40.5.2 School funds are not used.

40.5.3 A coach's high school candidates must constitute the minority of

those taking part in any out-of-season sport's program, and never

more than 50% competing on any team at any moment (e.g. no

more than two basketball candidates could be on the court, or 3 ice

hockey players on the ice, on the same team, at any point during a

game). In sports that are individual in nature, or where

competition involves a series of scoring events, candidates of that

high school coach must be fewer than 50% of those participating in

the overall competition or program.


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40.6 A program is deemed to be an intramural rather than an out-of season program

provided that:

40.6.1 The program is available to all high school students on an

indiscriminate basis, and a representative number of non-

candidates are regular participants.

40.6.2 No participants may receive any attention not offered to all other

participants.

40.6.3 Candidates in that intramural sport must constitute a minority of

those taking part in the program and never more than 50% of any

team actually playing or competing at any one time. (See Rule

40.5.3)

40.6.4 The program must be a direct offering of the high school involved.

40.7 Public High Schools can host an open house to introduce their schools,

academic, extracurricular activities and facilities in the month of

February including athletic department presentations (that will include

coaches) talking about their sport, facility and philosophy as happens

during Catholic School Week. Organizational meetings for fall sports

including collecting names, physical documentation and practice

schedules for the fall would be not allowable until the current May 1

date.

40.8 High School Coaches (paid or volunteer) of one sport may be involved in out-

of-season activity of another sport during the summer only.

PENALTY: Because these standards are designed to protect young people from unfair

and inequitable scenarios, any coach who violates, or does not prevent violations, of

these standards will be rendered ineligible to participate or be present at any MIAA

approved or sponsored interscholastic competition in that sport for one year from the

date of determination of a rule violation. If a violation is inadvertent or relatively

minor, this penalty may be reduced by the Board of Directors, or its designee.

41. Subsidizing Out-of-Season Activities

A school or a member of that school's coaching staff may not subsidize or support

students who might attend any sports-related activity outside of the authorized

seasonal limits for that sport. In addition, a coach may not provide transportation for

candidates of his/her team to an out-of-season athletic activity/camp. Student

participation in out-of season activities may not be funded in any way by booster clubs

or organizations. Schools may issue equipment (but not uniforms) during the out-of-

season period, but school districts should review any liability issues that could arise

from such issuance. Students may not wear school uniforms, or be identified as a school

team, out of season and/or during non-school events.

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42. League Organization & Membership Changes

42.1 When the process described below is completed, and the District Athletic

Committee(s) act to approve the proposed change(s), implementation of the

change(s) would not occur until two years after the ultimate DAC vote of

approval. When any member school makes official application to another

league, then that high school principal must simultaneously notify each of

the District Athletic Committee Chair(s) and League Presidents potentially

affected by the proposed change. (Click icon for necessary forms)

42.2 The "sending league" must first act upon the school's request to depart the

league. The recorded vote and rationale are then to be forwarded to that

District Athletic Committee Chair. (Because petitions before the District

Athletic Committee must include plans for negatively-impacted schools, the

petitioning school must address this matter if the sending league vote implies

negative impact.)

42.3 The "receiving league" acts secondly upon the request of the petitioning school.

The recorded vote and rationale are then forwarded to that District Athletic

Committee Chair. (Because no league can be required to accept a member,

the District Athletic Committee(s) should not meet until after this step.)

42.4 The affected District Athletic Committee(s) then meet for the purpose of

approving, or not approving, the petition. If a petition involves more than one

district, then a joint meeting of those districts must be conducted. This

meeting will be chaired by the District Chair of the petitioning school. Each

participating District Athletic Committee must have at least 50% of its

members present and voting.

42.5 Decisions of the District Athletic Committees may be appealed to the Board of

Directors.

42.6 All leagues must have in their by-laws provisions for disbanding the league,

which must include provisions for phasing out of the league over a period of

two years.

42.7 The chairman or president of a league shall be either a principal or an assistant

principal. In all matters of league reorganization, only the principal, or his/her

designee, of each affected school may vote for that member institution.

VIOLATION of this rule will result in suspension from the MIAA until rationale for a

new league has been filed with the Executive Director and approved by the Board of

Directors. This action would eliminate any violating school from league championship

eligibility as well as MIAA tournament competition.

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43. Boys’ and Girls’ on the Same Team

43.1 No student shall be denied in any implied or explicit manner the opportunity

to participate in any interscholastic activity because of his or her gender. A

school may establish separate teams for males and females for interscholastic

competition in a sport provided that teams comprised primarily or solely of

persons of one gender shall be granted equal instruction, training, coaching,

access to available facilities, equipment, opportunities to practice and compete

as teams engaged in a similar activity comprised primarily or solely of persons

of the opposite gender.

43.2 A girl may play on a boys’ team if that sport is not offered in the school for the

girl, and a boy may play on a girls’ team if that sport is not offered in the school

for the boy. When a sport is offered in two different seasons, each individual

must participate on the team of his/her gender.

43.2.1 Any MIAA member school sponsoring a “mixed gender” sub varsity

or varsity team must report to opponents the mixed gender status of

their team(s) at least 72 hours prior to each scheduled competition.

The “mixed gender” status must also be included on the tournament

entry form in the space provided. With the exception of boys’ golf,

the combined male & female enrollments will be utilized to

determine tournament divisional placement.

43.2.1.1 Any school, which does not conform to the notification

requirements above, will be ineligible for MIAA

tournament competition in that sport.

43.2.1.2 Students from mixed gender regular season teams will

participate in the regional and state tournaments of

their own gender in the sports of cross country, indoor

track, outdoor track, skiing, swimming and diving,

individual golf, and individual tennis.

43.2.2 Softball and baseball are competitively equal sports. Therefore,

girls’ shall participate in softball and boys’ in baseball provided each

sport is offered at that school. Length of game is one basic difference

(i.e. time required to play baseball and softball differ).

43.2.3 Any single gender team may forfeit its competition to a mixed team

because of safety reasons without tournament qualifying penalty

(e.g. the 50% rule would apply only to games played). Notification

of forfeit must be documented with the MIAA Executive Director

and the opponent school principal(s), stating the reason for not

competing. This notification must be given at least 24 hours prior

to the contest.


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43.2.3.1 Reasons of Safety: Generally anything which can be

specifically stated that demonstrates a bona fide

concern by a player, athletic director, or principal that

a potential opponent will pose a threat to safety during

an interscholastic athletic competition.

43.2.3.2 Specific Reasons:

(a) A bona fide reason of safety will arise when a

potential opponent has caused injury during a

prior interscholastic athletic contest.

(b) A bona fide reason of safety will arise when the

potential opponent has previously altered the

method or manner of play, in a substantial way,

by means of the style of play during a prior

interscholastic athletic contest.

(c) A bona fide reason of safety will arise when

through the actual knowledge of the person

claiming a reason of safety exists, a substantial

concern is present that the opponent poses a

threat to safety. In such situations, the specific

basis or facts relied upon shall be disclosed.

43.2.3.3 Exceptions:

(a) It shall not be a reason of safety that a potential

opponent may have an advantage due to greater

physical skills.

(b) It shall not be a reason of safety that a potential

opponent by reason of gender alone is more likely

to cause injury than another player.

(c) A reason of safety does not include the possibility

that a potential opponent may cause a threat to

the safety of the potential opponent's teammates.

43.2.3.4 Implementation: Any team which invokes the

application of Rule 43.2.3 shall notify the opponent's

principal by telephone and in writing as early as

possible. Said notice shall contain a concise statement

of the reason(s) of safety that cause the application of

the rule. Said notice shall also be concurrently

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44. Recruitment

44.1 To maintain a proper relationship between the academic mission of schools

and their athletic programs, all individuals in any way affiliated with a school

must refrain from recruitment, inducement, or other forms of persuasion

which would encourage an athlete to enroll in, or transfer to, a school.

44.2 A school shall be deemed to be in violation of the rule against recruitment if a

representative or agent of the school or any group or individual associated with

athletic programs of that school approaches an athlete and directly or

indirectly attempts to persuade or induce the athlete to enroll in, or transfer

to, that school.

44.3 Any attempt to place a student in a member school by any person for the

purposes of enhancement of that student's athletic development, or for

increased exposure, shall be deemed to be recruitment.

PENALTIES - Any student who enrolls in a school as a result of direct or indirect

recruitment activities shall be ineligible for a period of one calendar year from the date

of transfer. A school adjudged to have recruited any student will cause that school to be

under probation in that sport or all sports for one calendar year from the date of the

adjudication. Such probation will include ineligibility for tournaments and league

championships in that sport or all sports during the period of probation. Penalty may

be reduced by the Board of Directors or its designee.

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Part IV - Rules Affecting an Individual Student-athlete

or Coach

Rule Number Page

45. Loyalty to the High School Team: Bona Fide Team Members ............................. 46

46. Only One School Sport Per Season is Permitted .................................................. 46

47. Amateurism -- Definitions and Loss of Amateur Standing .................................. 47

48. Sportsmanship: Taunting .................................................................................... 47

49. Sportsmanship: Athlete or Coach Contest Disqualifications/Suspensions ......... 48

50. Coach/Media Relations ......................................................................................... 51

51. Student Eligibility: Baseline Eligibility Requirement ......................................... 52

52. Student Eligibility: Alternative, Collaborative, Detached or Other

Non-Traditional Educational Programs ..................................................... 52

53. Student Eligibility: Middle School Students on Senior High Teams ................... 52

54 Student Eligibility: Home Educated Students ..................................................... 53

55. Student Eligibility: Membership in School .......................................................... 54

56. Student Eligibility: Physical Examinations/Medical Coverage/Concussions .... 54

57. Student Eligibility: Transfer Students ................................................................. 55

58. Student Eligibility: Academic Requirements ....................................................... 57

59. Student Eligibility: Time Allowed for Participation After

First Completing Grade Eight ..................................................................... 59

60. Student Eligibility: Age ........................................................................................ 59

61. Student Eligibility: Graduation ........................................................................... 59

62. Student (and Coach) Eligibility: Chemical Health/Alcohol/Drugs/Tobacco..... 60

63. Good Citizen Rule .................................................................................................. 63

64. Protested Student Eligibility ................................................................................. 63


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PART IV: RULES AFFECTING AN INDIVIDUAL

STUDENT-ATHLETE OR COACH

45. Loyalty to the High School Team: Bona Fide Team Members

A bona fide member of the school team is a student who is consistently present for, and

actively participates in, all high school team sessions (e.g. practices, tryouts,

competitions). Bona fide members of a school team are precluded from missing a high

school practice or competition in order to participate in a non-school athletic

activity/event in any sport recognized by the MIAA. Students cannot be given special

treatment (late arrival, early dismissal, etc.) for non-school athletic programs.

First Offense: Student-athlete is suspended for 25% of the season (see chart on Rule 62).

Second Offense: Student-athlete is suspended for an additional 25% of the season, and

is ineligible for tournament play immediately upon confirmation of the violation. See

Rule 98 for additional tournament restriction and Rule 88 for waiver guidelines.

45.1 A student-athlete must be a Team Member for 50% of the regular season schedule

for that sport to participate in any MIAA Tournament competition (team member:

any student-athlete who attends practices or games for his/her sport teams – e.g.

Freshman basketball player moved to JV and then Varsity).

45.2 If ineligible, cannot be in uniform. Attendance at event to be determined by High

School Principal.

46. Only One School Sport Per Season is Permitted

A student-athlete shall participate in only one MIAA interscholastic sport in any defined

MIAA sport season (Fall, Winter, or Spring), including tournaments and/or

championships in that season. For the purposes of this rule only, a student-athlete

officially becomes a member of his/her team for the sport season on the date of that

school's first regular season contest in that sport.

46.1 Exception: If a licensed physician recommends that an athlete terminate

participation in a sport for medical reasons after the first contest, the athlete

will be permitted to join another team if he/she receives the written approval of

a licensed physician.

46.2 Exception: A school may approve a varsity or sub varsity request to join a

second varsity or sub varsity team after terminating his/her membership with

the first varsity or sub varsity team, providing written approval is received from

the principal, athletic director, and both coaches involved with the change, and

it happens within the first ½ of the season.

PENALTIES - If a student-athlete violates this rule, he/she will be ineligible for that

season, and all contests in which he/she participated in both sports must be forfeited.

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47. Amateurism -- Definitions and Loss of Amateur Standing

47.1 A student who represents a school in an interscholastic sport shall be an

amateur in that sport. An athlete forfeits amateur status in a sport by:

47.1.1 Competing for money or other monetary compensation (MIAA pre-

approved travel, meals, and lodging expenses may be accepted);

47.1.2 Receiving any award or prize of monetary value which has not been

approved in advance by the MIAA.

47.1.3 Capitalizing on athletic fame by receiving money or gifts of

monetary value (scholarships to institutions of higher learning are

specifically exempted); or

47.1.4 Signing a professional playing contract in that sport.

47.2 Accepting a nominal standard fee or salary for instructing or officiating in an

organized sports program or recreation, playground, or camp activity shall not

jeopardize amateur status. "Organized youth sports program" includes both

school and non-school programs. Compensation for giving private lessons is

permissible if approved in advance by MIAA. A high school student who loses

amateur status may apply to the MIAA for reinstatement after a waiting

period of one calendar year.

47.3 Only awards of no monetary worth to anyone else may be accepted by a high

school student-athlete as a result of participation in school or non-school

competition in any sport recognized by the Association. Individual

interscholastic athletic awards and similar mementos to athletes shall be

limited to those approved and administered by the institutions, league, or

MIAA in keeping with traditional school requirements as to what constitutes

an acceptable award.

47.4 Participating under an assumed name in any athletic contest shall make the

student ineligible for one year.

48. Sportsmanship: Taunting

48.1 Taunting includes any actions or comments by coaches, players, or

spectators which are intended to bait, anger, embarrass, ridicule, or demean

others, whether or not the deeds or words are vulgar or racist. Included is

conduct that berates, needles, intimidates, or threatens based on race,

gender, ethnic origin or background, and conduct that attacks religious

beliefs, size, economic status, speech, family, special needs, or personal

characteristics.

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Examples of taunting include but are not limited to: "trash talk", defined as

verbal communication of a personal nature directed by a competitor to an

opponent by ridiculing his/her skills, efforts, sexual orientation, or lack of

success, which is likely to provoke an altercation or physical response; and

physical intimidation outside the spirit of the game, including "in the face"

confrontation by one player to another, standing over/straddling a tackled or

fallen player, etc.

48.2 Athletic participants may wear sun glare black only under their eyes.

48.3 In all sports, officials are to consider taunting a flagrant unsportsmanlike

offense that disqualifies the offending bench personnel or contestant from that

contest/day of competition. In addition, the offender shall be subject to all

existing MIAA Disqualification Rules. A review of the MIAA taunting policy

and a warning shall be given to both teams by game officials prior to each

contest.

48.4 At all MIAA contest sites and tournament venues, contest management may

give spectators one warning for taunting. Thereafter, spectators who taunt

players, coaches, game officials, or other spectators should be ejected.

49. Sportsmanship: Athlete and Coach Contest Disqualifications/Suspensions

49.1 The contest official who disqualifies a student or coach under the provision of

this rule should immediately inform the coach of each team, official scorer (if

any), and state the violation. If the game official fails to file his/her written

coach/student contest disqualification form, the individual is nevertheless

bound by the suspension. An Official who fails to complete the form required as

a result of an athlete or coach disqualification shall be suspended from

officiating any MIAA contest in that sport for at least two weeks or until the

form is completed and received by the principal of the disqualified athlete or

coach. Judgments of game officials are not subject to appeal. If the event does

not have officials (e.g. golf, tennis) it is the responsibility of the site manager to

report any disqualification to the Athletic Director who in turn will complete

the MIAA Coach or Student Contest Disqualification Form.

49.2 The athletic director in charge of the contest, or his/her designee, is

responsible for: (1) having the official disqualification forms available for

game officials, and (2) sending copies to the principal of each school involved,

the athletic director of each school involved, and the executive director of the

MIAA. Contest official(s) should complete the forms before leaving the site of

the contest.

49.3 Any student-athlete, who is disqualified from a competition, including a

jamboree, scrimmage, etc., shall not participate in the next scheduled

interscholastic competition that is part of their regular season schedule, or in

tournament play. The disqualified student-athlete is ineligible to participate

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in any contest at the same level of play in that sport until the next contest, or

the next two (2) contests in the sports of baseball, ice hockey, and soccer, have

been completed. (Note: In the sport of wrestling, the disqualified student-

athlete is ineligible to participate in any and all contests during the next

scheduled date of competition). Disqualifications in the following sports per

specific sport rules: field hockey-Rule 68.3; basketball-five (5) personal fouls;

girls’ lacrosse (2) yellow cards; ice hockey - six (6) minutes in penalties and

game misconduct (Rule 72.16); wrestling-technical disqualification, do not

apply to the above prescribed penalties. During the suspension the

disqualified student may not be in uniform and his/her attendance at the

competition site is determined by the high school principal.

49.3.1 A two (2) game suspension will be given to any student-athlete who

is ejected from any contest for the following reasons:

o Fighting

o Punching or kicking an opposing player

o Spitting at someone

49.4 Any coach disqualified by an official from an inter-school competition

(including a jamboree, scrimmage, etc.) is ineligible to coach any competition

in that sport at the same level (e.g. junior varsity, varsity, etc.) until the next

contest, or the next two (2) contests in the sports of baseball, ice hockey, and

soccer, has/have been completed. (Note: In the sport of wrestling, the

disqualified coach is ineligible to participate in any and all contests during the

next scheduled date of competition). During the suspension the disqualified

coach may not be present at the competition site. Whenever a coach is

disqualified by an official from an inter-school competition, the official shall

file a written report of the incident with the coach's principal. The coach also

shall file the completed form designated for that purpose. Both reports should

be completed and forwarded by the official and coach within 24 hours of the

competition. The principal should immediately forward copies of the reports

to the athletic director, superintendent, and MIAA executive director. If the

game official fails to file his/her report, the coach is still bound by the

suspension. An official who fails to complete the form required as a result of

an athlete or coach ejection shall be suspended from officiating any MIAA

contest in that sport for at least two weeks or until the form is completed and

received by the principal of the disqualified athlete or coach.

49.5 A student or coach ruled out of a contest (pre-season, scrimmage,

jamboree/play-day, regular season or MIAA Tournament) twice in the same

season shall be suspended from further participation in that sport and in all

sports during that season for a year from the date of his/her second

disqualification. A senior and/or a student in his/her last year of eligibility,

who has a second disqualification at any point in the season, will be penalized

during the next season in which he/she is a participant.

(Exception: See soccer rule 78.2.6 and 78.2.7).

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49.5.1 A coach who is twice disqualified in a season must officially enroll

in the Coaches’ Education course or recognized MIAA certified

program before returning from suspension. The course must be

completed before the start of the next season for that sport (also see

Rule 49.11).

49.6 A student or coach who physically assaults an official shall be expelled from

the activity immediately and banned from further participation or coaching in

all sports for one year from the date of the offense.

49.7 Any student in any sport who willfully, flagrantly, or maliciously attempts to

injure an opponent shall be removed from the contest immediately and shall

be ineligible in all sports for one year from the date of the incident. ("Fighting"

does not apply to this section unless warranted in the judgment of the game

official.)

49.8 Fighting and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties will be within the authority

of the official at all times at the contest site. The official’s authority extends to

pre and post-game oversight.

49.9 Some of the reasons that an official may disqualify a student or coach from a

contest that would lead to a game disqualification are:

49.9.1 Fighting

49.9.2 Flagrant unsportsmanlike conduct which is defined but not limited

to violent action toward a player, official, or spectator, the use of foul

or abusive language, taunting, trash talk, and the like.

49.10 If a coach or student is ruled out of the last contest, or the next to last (in some

sports)contest, of the season, the penalty carries over to the following year in

that same sport season. However, if a team is playing in tournament

competition, it is considered an extension of the sport season. A senior and/or

a student in his/her last year of eligibility who is disqualified from the last

contest, or the next to last contest, of the season will be penalized at the start

of the next season in which he/she is a participant.

49.11 Any coach who is disqualified from an MIAA interscholastic athletic contest

or had three (3) student-athlete disqualifications during his/her sport season

will be required to attend a Sportsmanship Compliance meeting before being

eligible to coach interscholastic events the following year in that sport or

before coaching any other sport at any MIAA member school.

49.11.1 Any coach who fulfills the Sportsmanship Compliance meeting

requirement stated in rule 49.11 and is then suspended from

another MIAA interscholastic athletic contest, either in the same

sport or a different sport, or had three (3) student-athlete


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disqualifications during his/her sport season, will be required to

officially enroll in the Coaches' Education course or a recognized

MIAA certified program. The course must be completed before the

start of the next season for any sport that the coach is eligible.

49.11.2 Any third and subsequent coach contest disqualification

(over his/her coaching career) will result in the school

principal, athletic director and coach being required to meet

with the MIAA Sportsmanship Committee on the coach’s

eligibility.

49.12 In addition to being in violation of Massachusetts General Laws, hazing is a

most flagrant example of lack of respect for both self and others.

Massachusetts General Law Chapter 269, section 17-19 was enacted in 1988.

The law requires that secondary schools provide all school groups (e.g.

athletic teams) a copy of the law. Click here to access the "hazing law".

49.13 Any student-athlete who is disqualified (see Rule 49.3) from any

interscholastic contest must complete the National Federation

Sportsmanship on-line course – “Sportsmanship”, before reestablishing

eligibility. This course is free.

50. Coach/Media Relations

50.1 It is important that communication between coaches and the media reflects

and promotes high standards of sportsmanship, integrity and ethics.

50.1.1 Coaches must not publicly criticize any game official, or permit

anyone under their supervision to criticize game officials.

50.1.2 Coaches should cooperate with the media in the interpretation and

clarification of rules and/or other aspects of the game, but not make

critical comments about specific decisions of game officials.

50.1.3 Coaches must make an effort, in their communication with the

media, to stress positive displays of sportsmanship demonstrated by

the student-athletes, coaches, fans, spectators, and the schools

involved in the competition.

50.2 Any coach found in non-compliance with the above will be subject to penalties

determined by the Committee on Sportsmanship, Integrity, and Ethics.

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51. Student Eligibility: Baseline Eligibility Requirements

For a student to practice with, or to represent a MIAA member school in athletic

competition, the student must be duly enrolled in that school. Additionally, the student

must be a candidate for that school’s diploma, subject to the jurisdiction of that school’s

principal (i.e. the principal must have the authority to suspend the student from

classes), and under the supervision of that school principal (i.e. the principal must have

control and knowledge of the student’s daily attendance and achievement).

Ultimately the interpretation and application of Association rules rests with the MIAA

executive director/staff and the Board of Directors. Principals (or athletic directors)

must contact the Association executive staff to resolve any possible eligibility issues

before permitting a student to represent your school. This rule complements Rule 52,

53, 54 and 55.

51.1 An ineligible student who is duly enrolled in your school, may practice

with his/her team if approved by your school administration.

52. Student Eligibility: Alternative, Collaborative, Detached or Other Non-

Traditional Educational Programs

Students who are not being educated on the high school campus that will issue their

diplomas are not eligible to represent that, or any member high school, unless the

criteria within this rule are satisfied. If the student is not eligible at the attending

college or the alternative institution does not offer any athletic participation

opportunity, a student may participate in the diploma-granting MIAA high school if that

principal:

has the authority to suspend the student from all academic programs; and

receives daily reports of the student’s attendance and achievement; and

Certifies the student is eligible by all other MIAA and local standards that

must be satisfied by the student’s teammates.

(The above conditions must be agreed to in writing by the non-member-school director

prior to any practice or athletic participation by the student at the high school that is

awarding the diploma.)

These non-traditional students may not participate if they do not meet all of the

eligibility standards that are required of their teammates. Principals, athletic directors,

and guidance personnel should counsel students regarding athletic eligibility prior to

committing to non-traditional educational pursuits.

53. Student Eligibility: Middle School Students on Senior High Teams

A middle school student is eligible to represent a senior high school on its athletic teams

only when the MIAA member high school includes those grades and they are under the

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direct “jurisdiction” and “supervision” of the high school principal (see Rule 51 for

definitions).

54. Student Eligibility: Home Educated Students

A home-educated student is eligible to participate in interscholastic athletics if the

following conditions are met:

The local school committee of a MIAA public school member institution has adopted a

policy regarding participation of home educated students on the high school teams, and

the local building principal has indicated such on the annual MIAA membership form

while including all home schoolers in the MIAA enrollment report.

The Educational Plan for the home-educated student has been approved by the public

school Superintendent or his/her designee.

The Principal has determined appropriate high school grade level placement (9-12) for

each home educated student in conjunction with chronological age and educational plan.

The student resides in the school district that serves the high school, and is living with

his/her parents or legal guardians in the family residence. In multiple school districts,

a home-educated student must be assigned to the school of record in the same manner

as other students.

The Principal is satisfied that the student meets the standards for athletic participation

required for all other students as defined in the current MIAA Handbook. This includes,

but is not limited to, those rules governing transfers, academic eligibility, age

requirements, and the number of consecutive seasons of athletic eligibility beyond grade

eight.

MIAA requirements relative to academic eligibility must be certified by the Principal at

the same times that all other student-athletes are to be certified as academically

eligible.

If the Principal determines that all eligibility standards detailed above have been met,

the Principal may declare the student eligible to participate in interscholastic

competition. The rights, privileges, and responsibilities associated with all other

student-athletes attending MIAA member schools will apply to home educated students

who have satisfied the requirements above.

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55. Student Eligibility: Membership in School

55.1 A student shall have been a member of the MIAA member secondary school

for a minimum of two months (exclusive of the Summer vacation) and have

been issued a report card preceding the contest, unless entering from an

elementary or junior high school at the start of the school year or transfers in

from another school. A pupil's attendance at school does not start when

he/she registers in that school, but rather when he/she begins attending

classes.

55.2 When a student drops out of school and then decides later to return to the

same school, he/she cannot become eligible for athletics until a report card has

been issued and until the expiration of a minimum of two calendar months

from the date of his/her return to the same school.

55.3 Except as may be otherwise specified by statute or state regulation, a student

must be a resident of and domiciled in a municipality which normally

contributes student population to the school.

56. Student Eligibility/School Requirements: Physical Examinations/Medical

Coverage/Concussions

56.1 All students must pass a physical examination prior to participation in High

School Athletics. A physical exam covers the student for 13 months from the

exam date. A student’s eligibility will terminate once a physical has reached

the 13 month limit.

Physical examinations must be performed by a duly registered Licensed

Physician, Physician’s Assistant or Nurse Practitioner. The Sports Medicine

Committee recommended physical examination form is in the MIAA White

Book.

56.1.1 All MIAA member school coaches (paid or volunteer) are required to

take annually the on-line National Federation Concussion Course, or

other MA Department of Public Health recognized education program,

prior to the start of their season. This Board of Directors’ policy is

effective with the upcoming winter season, which began on Monday,

November 29, 2010.

56.1.2 All MIAA member school Athletic Directors and Athletic Trainers are

required to take annually the on-line National Federation Concussion

Course, or other recognized education program, prior to the start of

their season. This Board of Directors’ policy is effective with the

upcoming spring season, which began on Monday, March 21, 2011.

PENALTY: A student in violation shall be suspended for the number of contests in which

he/she participated without a proper physical.

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56.2 Each school’s medical person/staff is responsible for the members of that

team. These individuals annually must have taken, and been certified in, the

NFHS on-line Concussion Course (click here) or other recognized education

program. In the event of injury, that medical person/staff will make the final

judgment as to whether a student-athlete may return to play (please see Rule

56.4 below regarding concussions). Whenever a medical person is on duty at an

athletic event, he/she shall be responsible for both teams (unless the other team

has its own medical person present). When a physician is not present at an

athletic event, a licensed/certified athletic trainer, if available, shall be

considered the higher medical authority on-site when an EMT is providing

medical coverage at the same event. His/her judgment will be final. Physical

disqualification by the medical person renders the student ineligible. The

Penalty for playing an ineligible student is forfeiture.

56.3 Medical Alert Bracelets/Anklets are approved for wearing in all sports,

provided they are taped to the body and marked in red.

56.4 Any student-athlete who exhibits signs, symptoms or behaviors consistent with

a concussion (such as loss of consciousness, headache, dizziness, confusion, or

balance problems) shall be immediately removed from the practice or

competition and must not return to practice or competition that day, and

further shall not return to play until cleared (in writing to the Athletic

Director) by an appropriate health-care professional (as determined by the

Department of Public Health). Whenever it is decided to disqualify a student-

athlete from further participation for a suspected concussion or other injury,

the person making that decision must communicate about this matter with the

injured athlete’s coach and athletic director in a timely fashion.

57. Student Eligibility: Transfer Students

Rules 57.1 through 57.5 deal with school transfers that were not required due to the

move of parents or transfers without the move of parents.

57.1 A student who transfers from any school to an MIAA member high school is

ineligible to participate in any interscholastic athletic contest at any level for

a period of one year in all sports in which that student participated at the

varsity level or its equivalent during the one year period immediately

preceding the transfer. (see exemptions listed in Rule 57.7) For the purpose of

this rule, no transfer will be deemed to have taken place if a student returns

to his/her former school on or before the eleventh school day from the date of

last attendance there providing he/she did not try-out for any athletic teams at

the new school. However, Form 200 must always be satisfactorily executed

upon the students return.

57.2 "Varsity participation" is defined as any appearance, as a competitor, in a

varsity inter-school contest other than a scrimmage. The "equivalent" will be

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judged by the MIAA executive staff on the basis of the quality of non-school

sport program participation.

57.3 Before a transfer student can be certified as eligible in a specific sport within

the year of his/her transfer, the sending school principal and athletic director

must certify on Form 200 by signature what the student participated in – sport

& level (sub varsity, varsity or non-school team) during the year prior to the

actual transfer.

57.3.1 If it is later determined that the sending school falsely or

erroneously certified eligibility, then the sending school will be

subject to minimally a letter of censure, copies of which will be

mailed to the school committee, superintendent, principal, athletic

director, and reported on the MIAA website.

57.3.2 MIAA Form 200 must be dated and filed at the receiving school

before the student is declared eligible (as to the transfer rule only)

by the receiving school principal. Note that Form 200 will not yield

eligibility for a student who transfers after the opening date of the

practice season (57.5)

57.4 The receiving High School Principal may utilize Form 200 to declare a

transfer student eligible, providing it is prior to the start of the season and if

the sending school Principal certifies the following (3a through 3e on Form

200):

a. Recruitment was not involved in any way.

b. At the time of transfer, the student was in good standing.

c. The student would be academically eligible at the sending school.

d. The transfer was in no way motivated by athletics.

e. The student would have been eligible by MIAA and local rules at the

sending school.

57.5 A student who transfers after the start of the practice season is ineligible in all

sports during that sport season.

57.6 Foreign Students

57.6.1 A student who transfers from a foreign country without parental

change of residence accompanying the transfer will be ineligible

unless such transfer is sponsored by a CSIET (Council on Standards

for International Education Travel) approved foreign exchange

program. Students who enter a member school under a CSIET

approved program may be declared immediately eligible for athletic

participation by the building principal as long as all other MIAA

eligibility standards are met and it is not a direct placement. If a

direct placement, according to CSIET Standard 6b, a waiver is

necessary. A CSIET student who has graduated from a secondary

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school in his/her own country will be exempt from the MIAA

graduation rule (#61) if that student has not completed thirteen (13)

years (including kindergarten) – or twelve (12) years (not including

kindergarten) – of formal education.

57.6.2 Foreign athletes who are not in this country under the auspices of a

CSIET approved program or attending a MIAA member school as

the direct result of the change in residence of the parents, shall not

be eligible for interscholastic athletics regardless of the length of

stay in this Country.

57.7 Exemptions to the transfer rule -- a transfer student may be eligible

immediately provided all other eligibility requirements are met:

57.7.1 Change of residence of a student’s parents: A student’s transfer is

necessitated by a change of residence of his/her parent(s) to the

area served by the school to which he/she transfers. The academic

standard of the receiving school will determine eligibility.

Therefore, in such transfer cases, academic ineligibility is not

portable. (This exception does not apply to a change in custody,

guardianship, or to a student’s change in residence from one parent

to another, nor does it apply when the student could continue to

attend the former school.)

57.7.2 Middle school transfer: A student who enters the ninth grade of a

four-year high school and who has not been enrolled previously in

the ninth grade.

57.7.3 Elementary/Middle School graduate: A student who has completed

the last grade available in the school previously attended.

57.7.4 Closed school: If a school no longer exists, a student may be eligible

at the school of his/her choice immediately after the closing of that

school.

58. Student Eligibility: Academic Requirements

58.1 A student must secure during the last marking period preceding the contest

(e.g. second quarter marks and not semester grades determine third quarter

eligibility) a passing grade, and full credit, in the equivalent of four traditional

year-long major English courses. A transfer student may not gain academic

eligibility if he/she was not, or would not be, eligible at the sending school,

unless transfer was necessitated by a move of parents and then eligibility

would be determined by receiving schools eligibility standards (see Rule

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58.2 A student cannot at any time represent a school unless that student is taking

courses which would provide Carnegie Units equivalent to four traditional

year-long major English courses.

58.3 To be eligible for the fall marking period, students are required to have passed

and received full credits for the previous academic year the equivalent of four

traditional year-long major English courses.

58.4 Academic eligibility of all students shall be considered as official and

determined on the published date when the report cards for that ranking period

are to be issued to the parents of all students within a particular class.

Note: The MIAA academic eligibility standards are designed to ensure that a student

is fully enrolled in school and actively engaged in his/her academic life on a consistent

basis throughout the school year. When utilizing a 4 x 4 block schedule, a student must

pass at least two of the four required ‘major’ courses (or equivalent) in each academic

marking period.

The questions you must ask in determining equivalency are:

*How many minutes per day/week/semester does this course meet?

*How many credits toward graduation as approved in advance by school committee

policy will be offered for this course?

*Is this equivalent to past academic requirements?

(If further clarification is necessary, principals and athletic directors are encouraged to

contact a member of the MIAA executive staff.)

58.5 Incomplete grades may not be counted toward eligibility until they are made

up following school policy.

58.6 A student who repeats work upon which he/she has once received credit cannot

count that subject a second time for eligibility.

58.7 A student cannot count for eligibility any subject taken during the summer,

unless that subject was pursued and failed during the immediately preceding

academic year.

58.8 All cooperative team athletes must meet the eligibility standards of their

own school as well as the host school.


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59. Student Eligibility: Time Allowed for Participation After First Entering

Grade Nine

59.1 A student shall be eligible for interscholastic competition for no more than four

consecutive years after initially entering Grade 9. This limitation shall apply

without regard to actual participation or attempt to participate.

59.2 In no case may a student be eligible to participate in more than four of each of

the three annual athletic seasons. In special cases where a student has been

absent from school because of an accident or illness, the executive director, or

his/her designee, shall have the authority to extend the student’s eligibility

upon presentation of a doctor’s certificate on the student’s behalf, a letter from

the principal attesting to the inability of the student to attend school during a

specific period because of an accident or illness, and waiver application for

Rule 59. In instances where an extended eligibility is granted, the student

may be declared eligible only for the season(s) that the student’s

accident/illness prevented participation.

60. Student Eligibility: Age

A student shall be under 19 years of age, but may compete during the

remainder of the school year, provided that his/her 19th birthday occurs on or

after September 1 of that year. For Freshman competition only, a student

shall be under 16 years of age but may compete during the remainder of the

school year provided that the sixteenth birthday occurs on or after September

1 of that year. Principals must exercise great care in determining age of

contestants, and in all doubtful cases, must secure birth certificates from the

town clerk of the pupil’s place of birth.

61. Student Eligibility: Graduation

61.1 A student must be an undergraduate: i.e., he/she shall not be a graduate of

any secondary school. Any student who has the credits required for a diploma

shall be regarded as a graduate with the following exceptions:

61.1.1 An early graduate of a high school may represent his/her school in

athletics until the end of the sport season in which he/she is

participating, if otherwise eligible. The diploma must be withheld

until at least the season is completed, and the student may not

attend classes outside of that high school during that season.

61.1.2 A student who earns the credits required for a diploma prior to

attending eight semesters in a four-year high school, and who is not

granted a diploma may continue to participate if he/she continues to

take at least the equivalent of four traditional yearlong major

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62. Student (and Coach) Eligibility: Chemical Health/Alcohol/Drugs/Tobacco

62.1 From the earliest fall practice date, to the conclusion of the academic year or

final athletic event (whichever is latest), a student shall not, regardless of the

quantity, use, consume, possess, buy/sell, or give away any beverage containing

alcohol; any tobacco product(including e-cigarettes, VAP pens and all similar

devices); marijuana (including synthetic); steroids; or any controlled substance.

This policy includes products such as “NA or near beer”. It is not a violation

for a student to be in possession of a legally defined drug specifically prescribed

for the student’s own use by his/her doctor.

This MIAA statewide minimum standard is not intended to render “guilt by

association”, e.g. many student-athletes might be present at a party where only

a few violate this standard. This rule represents only a minimum standard

upon which schools may develop more stringent requirements.

If a student in violation of this rule is unable to participate in interscholastic

sports due to injury or academics, the penalty will not take effect until that

student is able to participate again.

Minimum PENALTIES: (also see Rule 32.8 – Ineligible Students)

First violation: When the Principal confirms, following an opportunity for the

student to be heard, that a violation occurred, the student shall lose eligibility

for the next consecutive interscholastic contests (regular season and

tournament) totaling 25% of all interscholastic contests in that sport. No

exception is permitted for a student who becomes a participant in a treatment

program. It is recommended that the student be allowed to remain at practice

for the purpose of rehabilitation. During the suspension the disqualified

student may not be in uniform and his/her attendance at the competition site

is determined by the high school principal. All decimal part of an event will

be truncated i.e. All fractional part of an event will be dropped when

calculating the 25% of the season.

Second and subsequent violations: When the Principal confirms, following an

opportunity for the student to be heard, that a violation occurred, the student

shall lose eligibility for the next consecutive interscholastic contests (regular

season and tournament) totaling 60% of all interscholastic contests in that

sport. All decimal part of an event will be truncated i.e. All fractional part of

an event will be dropped when calculating the 60% of the season.

If after the second or subsequent violations the student of his/her own volition

becomes a participant in an approved chemical dependency program or

treatment program, the student may be certified for reinstatement in MIAA

activities after a minimum of 40% of events provided the student was fully

engaged in the program throughout that penalty period. The high school

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principal in collaboration with a Chemical Dependency Program or

Treatment Program must certify that student is attending or issue a

certificate of completion. If student does not complete program, penalty

reverts back to 60% of the season. All decimal part of an event will be

truncated i.e. All fractional part of an event will be dropped when calculating

the 40% of the season.

Penalties shall be cumulative each academic year, but serving the penalty could carry

over for one year. Or, if the penalty period is not completed during the season of

violation, the penalty shall carry over to the student’s next season of actual

participation, which may affect the eligibility status of the student during the next

academic year. (e.g. A student plays only football: he violates the rule in winter and/or

the spring of same academic year: he would serve the penalty [ies] during the fall

season of the next academic year).

If a student is not an athletic participant for one full year after affirmation of a

violation, then the penalty period would close and the student would face no

consequence.

Prior to any chemical health violation a student's request for and enrollment

in a substance abuse treatment shall not in and of itself constitute a violation

of the chemical health/alcohol/drugs/tobacco Rule 62.

1st Offense - 25%

# of Events / Season # of Events / Penalty

1-7 1

8-11 2

12-15 3

16-19 4

20 or over 5

2nd Offense - 60%


1-3 1

4 2

5-6 3

7-8 4

9 5

10-11 6

12-13 7

14 8

15-16 9

17-18 10

19 11

20 or over 12


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2nd Offense w/Dependency Program - 40% if in the program throughout the

penalty period.


1-4 1

5-7 2

8-9 3

10-12 4

13-14 5

15-17 6

18-19 7

20 or over 8

62.2 During practice or competition, a coach shall not use any tobacco product

(penalty: same as students’ – see chart above).

62.3 Steroid Use - Anabolic androgenic steroid use at the high school level is of

grave concern. Steroids are used by some athletes, and the seriousness of the

problem has been well documented. High school coaches may not be able to

prevent the use of steroids altogether, but they can clearly and forcefully

discourage their use. Coaches should take a proactive role, learning about

steroids, and then providing this information to their athletes.

Steroids can, with proper diet and weight training, increase muscle

development; however, as is typical with most “get-rich-quick” schemes, steroid

use has serious short and long term consequences.

Normal and equal musculature development can occur without steroid use.

Although the natural process takes longer, muscle tone will last longer and

does not carry the harmful side effects of steroids.

Most coaches would not promote steroid use intentionally. Total silence by

coaches however condones use in some young people's minds. Even though

steroids may not be mentioned when it is suggested to an athlete that his/her

success is limited only by a lack of weight and/or strength, without a

disclaimer the statement can be a motivation to use steroids. The

pervasiveness of the drugs that allow for development of increased weight

under the aforementioned circumstances is a coercive power that is difficult

for young athletes to resist without knowing what the side effects of the drugs

may be.

The issue goes beyond protecting the integrity of sport. The use of steroids in

sports is cheating. We must oppose the use of steroids for both health and

ethical reasons.


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63. Good Citizen Rule

63.1 Student-athletes may not represent their school if they are on in-house or

out-of-house disciplinary suspension. A suspended student is ineligible for

practice or competition for at least the number of days (or partial days) equal

to the number of days of the suspension. Local policies will determine the

actual days of ineligibility. (The Board of Directors suggests that policies be

included in local Student Handbooks.)

64. Protest Student Eligibility

64.1 Upon request a member school principal must provide student eligibility

certification for any student-athlete who might be questioned by a principal or

the Association.

64.2 When the eligibility of a member or members of any team are protested at a

contest site, the contest shall be played as scheduled and the protest filed with

the MIAA Executive Director for settlement later.


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Part V - Sport Rules

In this section rules for the individual sports are referenced along with the MIAA modifications to those national rules. Four-year tournament alignments for each

sport can be viewed on the MIAA web site (www.miaa.net ) Rule Number Page

65. Baseball ........................................................................................................... 65

66. Basketball ........................................................................................................ 66

67. Cross Country .................................................................................................. 67

68. Field Hockey .................................................................................................... 68

69. Football ........................................................................................................... 68

70. Golf ................................................................................................................ 73

71. Gymnastics ...................................................................................................... 73

72. Ice Hockey ........................................................................................................ 74

73. Indoor Track.................................................................................................... 77

74. Lacrosse ........................................................................................................... 78

75. Outdoor Track ................................................................................................. 78

76. Rugby.............................................................................................................. 80

77. Skiing .............................................................................................................. 80

78. Soccer .............................................................................................................. 80

79. Softball ............................................................................................................ 84

80. Swimming ....................................................................................................... 84

81. Tennis .............................................................................................................. 85

82. Unified Sports............................................................................................... 87

83. Volleyball ......................................................................................................... 88

84. Wrestling ......................................................................................................... 90

http://www.miaa.net/


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PART V: SPORT RULES 65. Baseball

65.1 The rules pertaining to baseball are the same as major league baseball and

can be found at http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/official_rules/foreword.jsp

65.2 Leagues may amend a rule, provided such an amendment is not a substantive

change to MIAA rules. However, leagues may wish to change such things as

the type of ball, free substitutions, or similar acts to speed the game.

65.3 Batting helmets of the full-protection type must be worn by all players while

at bat or on the bases. These helmets of the full-protection type shall have

extended ear flaps which cover both ears and the temples. In addition, the

helmet must carry the NOCSAE stamp, indicating it meets the NOCSAE

standards, and must have an exterior warning label regarding the risk of

injury. Batting helmets of this type shall be required of each batter, base

runner, on-deck batter and base coach. After an initial warning to a player

and the coach by an umpire, failure to adhere to the rule by any subsequent

player shall result in that player being removed from the contest (but for that

game only). The penalty is to be enforced when the batter is in the box and

the pitcher is in contact with the rubber ready to pitch.

Defensive players are permitted to wear face/head protection in the field. If a

pitcher or any defensive player wears face/head protection, its outer covering

shall have a non-glare surface.

All on-field base coaches (adults and/or players) will be required to wear a

protective helmet. The adult protective helmet can be a hard liner shell that

fits inside the baseball cap (skull cap), a one flap, two flap or no flap batting

helmet.

65.4 Metal bats may be used, but they must meet the safety specifications adopted

by the National Federation of State High School Associations (reference NFHS

Rules 1-3-2 through 1-3-5). Click icon for more information.

65.5 A full-crown helmet must be worn by the catcher while behind the plate.

65.6 All catchers during game competition and any player warming up a pitcher at

any location shall wear a mask with a throat protector.

PENALTY: First violation by a team will result in a warning. Second violation

by a team will result in the offending player being removed from the contest.

65.7 Schools may not schedule five (5) inning baseball games.

65.8 Mouth guards are recommended for all baseball players while on the field.

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65.9 Jewelry may not be worn by baseball players during practice or games.

65.10 Safety bases are recommended. The Sports Medical Committee recommends

a breakaway or impact base.

65.11 The NCAA Force-Play-Slide Rule and NCAA Collision Rule (bases only)

will be in effect. The MLB Collision Rule will be in effect for home plate

only.

65.12 Any coach ejected from an Interscholastic Baseball game will be

suspended for the next 2 games. Any player ejected from a game also

is ineligible for the next 2 games. (see Rule 49.3)

65.13 A Strike Two Program is in force:

A baseball umpire at any time will voice "strike one" when a warning

for inappropriate comment or actions is warranted, and that "strike

one" will be recorded in the scorebook. Upon the need for a "strike

two" call, an ejection of the coach would occur. Exception: In the

case of a flagrant unsportsmanlike infraction and/or physical

assault an immediate ejection will occur.

65.14 A regulation game shall be declared, if a team is leading by 15 or more runs

after 5 complete innings (or 4 ½ if the home team is ahead). The 15 run rule

applies in tournament play, prior to sectional semi-final rounds. This rule is

also in effect for all games played during the regular season. Individual

leagues are allowed to include a by-law or rule that reduces the number of

runs, (less than 15) that places this rule into effect.

65.15 Adult coaches/managers may serve as base coaches as long as they are in

coordinating and matching school colors with those of their uniformed

players.

66. Basketball

Boys’ and girls’ high school basketball shall be played under the rules of the National

Federation of State High School Associations, as modified by the MIAA.

66.1 Mouth guards are highly recommended for all basketball players while on the

court.

66.2 The 30-second shot clock will be utilized at all levels in both boys’ and girls’

games.

66.3 The ten-second back court count does not apply to girls’' games.

66.4 All varsity contests shall be played in four, 8 minute quarters. Sub-varsity

contests also shall be played in equal quarters of no more than 8 minutes.

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66.5 Five 60 second time-outs may be charged to each team during a regulation

game. Each team is entitled to one additional 60-second time-out during each

extra period. Unused time-outs accumulate and may be used at any time.

66.6 A coaching box, as described in current National Federation rules, shall be

utilized in all games.

66.7 Athlete Participation Limitations

66.7.1 A student may practice or play for their high school basketball team

only once in any one day.

66.7.2 No member of a high school basketball squad shall participate in

more than four quarters per day. (This does not include official over-

time periods. On a given day, a student may participate in more than

one interscholastic basketball contest at different sites provided that

the four quarter limit is not exceeded).

66.8 For all Girls’ and Boys’ Varsity basketball contests, the home team must assign

an adult contest manager other than a member of the basketball coaching staff

to be responsible for all aspects of administration of the contest.

66.9 The team jersey torso color shall be light for the home team and a contrasting

dark color for the visiting team.

67. Cross Country

67.1 High school cross country shall be governed by the current National

Federation of State High School Associations Track and Field Rule Book.

67.1.1 Competitors representing the same school must wear the same

school uniform both in color and design, with the school's name and

insignia in sight. Only solid colored T-shirts may be worn under the

regular uniform.

67.2 Scoring of a triangular cross country meet will not count as two competitions

for the participation limit for the season.

67.3 Athlete Participation Limitations: A competitor may run in a meet on two

consecutive days only once during a week. No competitor may run in a meet

on three consecutive days.

67.4 Medical personal authorized by the Games Committee or Referee to do so may

perform a hands-on medical examination during the progress of an event for

any athlete who appears in distress. If in their opinion it is in the best interest


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of the athlete's health and welfare, they may remove the athlete from the

competition.

68. Field Hockey

68.1 National Federation of State High School Associations Field Hockey rules shall

be used.

68.1.1 All players must wear eye protective goggles approved for field

hockey.

68.1.2 No team shall be allowed to compete without wearing team uniforms

displaying identifying numbers with a minimum height of four

inches. It is recommended that team uniforms display identifying

numbers on front (4”) and back (6”).

68.1.3 The goal keepers' uniform top shall be either the same color as

teams' uniform top or of a color which contrasts to the uniform tops

of both teams.

68.1.4 If a league elects to play a tie breaker, teams must play two 25-

minute halves, and the overtime period must not exceed ten

minutes. The overtime period must be played to completion or

sudden victory.

68.2 Match Length

The maximum length of match is to be 60 minutes including overtime play.

68.3 A student-athlete who receives a red card due to an upgrade (i.e. green card

to a yellow card to a red card - third minor offense) should not be suspended

from the next game and the official need not fill out the MIAA Student

Disqualification Form.

68.4 During the regular season and up to and including the quarter finals if there

is a goal differential of 5 or more goals by half time the clock will run during

the second half on everything but injury stoppage. If the goal differential is

less than 5 in the second half then the regular rules apply.

69. Football

69.1 Massachusetts high school football shall be played under the NCAA Rules,

with the following modifications:

69.1.1 Goal Post uprights shall be a maximum of 23 feet, 4 inches inside

to inside. (NCAA Rules: Section 1-2-5-b)


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69.1.2 Teams may play with leather or composite leather footballs

meeting NFHS specifications. (NCAA Rules: Section 1-3-1-b)

69.1.3 Football helmets of the same color are not required. (NCAA Rules:

Section 1-4-4-a-2)

69.1.4 It is not required that football jerseys be long enough to reach the

top of the pants and be tucked in. (NCAA Rules: Section 1-4-4-c-1)

69.1.5 Teams are not required to have socks that are identical and the

same length. (NCAA Rules: Section 1-4-4-h)

69.1.6 Soft knee pads at least ½ inch thick must cover the knees and be

covered by pants. No pads or protective equipment may be worn

outside the pants. Players of a team shall wear pants of the same

color and design. (NCAA Rule 1-4-4-d)

69.1.7 Use of kicking tee will be permitted for extra point and field goal

attempts. (NCAA Rules: Section 2-16-4-a)

69.1.8 A tee may elevate the ball no more than two inches above the

ground. (NCAA Rules: Section 2-16-4-c)

69.1.9 The play clock will always be 25 seconds. The 25-second clock is

any device under the direction of the appropriate official used to

time the 25 seconds between the ready-for-play signal and the ball

being put in play. The type of device is determined by the game

management. Fields are not required to be equipped with visual

25 second clocks. (NCAA Rules: Section 2-29-2)

69.1.10 On Clocks that display tenths of a second: From 2.1 seconds to

2.9 seconds is considered to be the same as 3 seconds on clocks

that do not display tenths. (NCAA Rules 3-2-5)

69.1.11 Clock stops when a ball carrier, fumble or backward pass is ruled

out of bounds. The game clock will next start on the snap, except

for a forward fumble out of bounds by team A. (NCAA Rules:

Section 3-3-2-d-2)

69.1.12 Each team is entitled to five time-outs per half, three of which are

a full 90 seconds and two of which will be 30 seconds. Teams may

not go to the sideline during a 30 second time-out. (NCAA Rules:

Section 3-3-4-a)

69.1.13 There shall be no 10-second runoff in MIAA games as a part of

administrating penalties, injuries or helmets coming off. (NCAA

Rules 3-3-5-f, 3-3-9-b-2, 3-4-4)


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69.1.14 The 40 yard line shall be the initial kick-off point. (NCAA Rules:

Section 6-1-1)

69.1.15 Touchbacks after free kicks/kickoffs will be placed on the 20 yard

line. (NCAA Rules 6-1-7, 8-6-2 Exception)

69.1.16 Any player disqualified from a contest because of

Targeting/Initiating Contact With the Crown of the Helmet or

Defenseless Player: Contact to Head or Neck Area shall not

participate in the next scheduled contest per MIAA Handbook Rule

49.3. (NCAA Rules 9-1-3, 9-1-4)

69.1.17 Conferences/Leagues are not mandated to review flagrant personal

fouls. (NCAA Rule 9-6)

69.1.18 There will be no instant replay in MIAA contests. (NCAA Rule 12)

69.2 A licensed physician, licensed trainer or certified EMT must be in attendance

and on duty for all interscholastic football games. The medical person shall

be responsible for both teams unless the visiting team has its own medical

coverage. His/her judgment will be final with regard to the condition of a

player after injury. No player may continue to play against the medical

person's advice. The penalty for violation of this provision is forfeiture of the

game.

69.2.1 The school designated as the home team, or the host site identified

with a participating school, must have an AED on site (and

accessible) or with their medical person.

69.3 Tie-Breaker Options (Kindly Note: during the regular season leagues and

schools also may opt to play no overtime).

69.3.1 To eliminate confusion and misunderstanding, coaches must give a

written notice to the referee prior to the kick-off stating whether or

not a tie-breaker will be used if the game ends in a tie. It also is

important that the news media and the public address announcer be

notified before kick-off if a tie-breaker rule is to be used.

69.3.2 The NCAA Football Tie-Breaker Rule, Multiple overtime periods.

As modified by the MIAA, conferences or schools may optionally

adopt this tie-breaker rule for high school varsity teams. This option

will ensure that the game will not end in a tie.

69.3.2.1 During MIAA tournament play additional overtime

periods will be used if teams are tied at the end of

regulation or succeeding overtime periods.


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69.3.2.2 Each series shall begin at the ten-yard line unless a

penalty overrides. First down chains will not be used.

It is always goal-to-go. If penalty enforcement calls for

an automatic first down, it will be first and goal.

69.3.2.3 For the first and subsequent tie breaking periods, any

team that scores a touchdown must attempt a two point

conversion by run or pass from scrimmage.

69.3.2.4 If there is a change of team possession during the last

play of an overtime period (second series), live ball

personal fouls or live ball unsportsmanlike

conduct fouls by opponents of the team last gaining

possession, that occur after the change of possession,

gives the team in possession the option of putting the

ball in play, where the penalty leaves the ball, for one

down free of penalty or penalize as a dead ball foul at

the succeeding spot in the subsequent overtime

period. This option is exercised only if the team last

gaining possession is free of foul during the down.

Example: Second Series - Team B intercepts Team A's pass and, during

Team B's run back, Team A commits a personal foul.

Ruling: Team B has the option of extending the overtime period for one

down free of penalty, with Team B putting the ball in play

where the penalty leaves the ball, provided Team B has

not fouled during the down. Or Team B may choose to

penalize as a dead ball foul at the succeeding spot in the

subsequent overtime period. (NCAA Rules: Section 3-1-3-

d, 3-1-3-e, 3-1-3-f 3-1-3-g-1)

69.4 Scheduling Limitations:

69.4.1 The regular season shall end on Thanksgiving Day. When it is

necessary to postpone the final scheduled game because of inclement

weather, it must be played the weekend following Thanksgiving.

69.4.2 An intra-squad or interschool scrimmage is not to be allowed before

the third day of "Full Contact" practice.

69.4.3 The maximum length of periods shall be 12 minutes except when a

game ends in a tie, in which case the tie-breaker rule may be used

only for varsity games, and if adopted by a majority vote of all

schools in the league or by mutual consent in advance of non-league

games. Revised 12/30/15


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69.5 Participation Limitations:

69.5.1 The first five days of football practice must be single conditioning

and "limited contact" sessions. Daily activities shall be limited to

the definitions, equipment, time maximums and limitations

described in the MIAA Handbook Preseason Practice Chart and

Definitions.

Violations of these rules will result in a letter of censure by the Board of

Directors to the Superintendent of Schools and to the Chairman of the

School Committee.

69.5.2 High school football practices prior to the first day of classes must

meet the following criteria:

69.5.2.1 During preseason practice, athletes may only

participate in full contact – live action drills and

game time simulations no more than 60 minutes per

athlete per day.

69.5.2.2 From the Monday before Labor Day (August 28, 2017)

through the Saturday before Labor Day (September 2,

2017) a coach may only conduct full contact drills up

to 90 minutes. (The intent of this rule is to limit full

contact participation of each student to 90 minutes

during this six-day period).

69.5.2.3 From Labor Day through the end of the season,

including postseason play, a coach may only conduct

full contact drills up to 60 minutes per week (90

minutes during a week without a scheduled game).

The intent of this rule is to limit full contact

participation of each student to 60 minutes during a

week of practice (90 minutes during a week without a

scheduled game). During this time, full contact is

allowed in no more than 2-3 practices per week, no

more than 30 minutes per day, and consideration

should also be given to limiting full contact on

consecutive days.

69.5.2.4 One day off every week (Definition of a week – MIAA

Handbook Rule 34.4: Saturday through Friday,

Exception: Thanksgiving and Friday evening games).

69.5.3 A player must participate in at least 15 football practice days before taking

part in a football game.

69.5.4 Players may not participate in more than equal time (48 minutes) of one

game per week. A week will be from Saturday through Friday except for

the week of Thanksgiving Day. (The intent of this rule is to limit

participation of each student to no more than one game in any six-day

period.).

Revised 5/22/17

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70. Golf

70.1 Massachusetts high school golf shall be played under the USGA Rules with

the following modifications or exceptions.

70.1.1 Local club rules shall be in effect.

70.1.2 No coaching is to take place during a match or tournament.

70.1.3 Leagues may modify a rule, provided such a modification is not a

substantive change to MIAA rules. If the league amends a rule, all

schools in the league must adhere to the rule as modified.

70.2 Female golfers participating on a boys’ team must hit from the tee box that is

placed closest (yet in front of) the tee box the boys’ team is hitting from

(regardless of marker color). Leagues may modify (see rule 70.1.3).

71. Gymnastics

71.1 Boys’ Gymnastics

71.1.1 Boys’ gymnastic meets shall be conducted within the rules of an

association to be determined except as currently modified by MIAA.

71.1.2 Each team may enter up to six gymnasts in each event. The four

highest scores in each event count for team score.

71.1.3 An all-around gymnast is one who enters all six events. An

unlimited gymnast may enter any or all of the six events. All other

gymnasts may enter no more than three events.

71.1.4 One all-around is allowed. If the all-around does not enter a

particular event, the team will be limited to five entries in that

event.

71.1.5 Up to two unlimited gymnasts may each enter up to six events.

71.1.6 The all-around and unlimited competitor(s) shall be designated by

the coach prior to the start of the meet.

71.1.7 Substitutions will be accepted only before the particular event has

begun. No substitution for the designated all-around competitor is

allowed.


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71.1.8 In dual and league meets, the top four scores in each event will count

for team scores. The bottom scores will be dropped.

71.1.9 Exhibition performances are not permitted.

71.2 Girls’' Gymnastics

71.2.1 Girls’' gymnastic meets shall be conducted within the rules of the

National Federation of State High School Associations as modified

by MIAA.

71.2.2 Each team may enter up to six gymnasts in each event.

71.2.3 An all-around gymnast is one who enters all four events. All other

gymnasts may enter no more than three events.

71.2.4 No more than two all-around competitors are allowed. None is

required.

71.2.5 The all-around competitor(s) must be designated by the coach prior

to the start of the meet.

71.2.6 In dual and league meets, the top four scores in each event will count

for team scores. The bottom score(s) will be dropped.

71.2.7 Substitutes will be accepted only before the particular event has

begun.

71.2.8 Exhibition performances are not permitted.

71.2.9 Warm-up between the first two events and the second two events

shall be ten minutes. At least 30 minutes warm-up time must be

allowed prior to the meet.

71.2.10 The squat, straddle and stoop vaults will continue to be used.

71.3 There may be no exceptions to rules by coaches' agreements, except where

expressly allowed by rule.

71.4 Apparatus may be held down (steadied) with no deduction.

72. Ice Hockey

72.1 Ice hockey shall be played under the National Federation Rules, as modified

herein.


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72.2 A minor penalty shall be 1.5 minutes, a major 4 minutes, and a misconduct

7.5 minutes.


and on duty for all varsity ice hockey games. (It is strongly recommended

that such medical coverage and an emergency transport system be in place

for all games.) The medical person shall be responsible for both teams unless

each team has its own medical coverage. His/her judgment will be final with

regard to the condition of a player after injury. No player may continue to

play against the medical person's advice. The penalty for violation of this

provision is forfeiture of the game.

72.3.1 The school designated as the home team, or the host site identified

with a participating school, must have an AED on site (and

accessible) or with their medical person.

72.4 During the regular season and MIAA tournament, the National Federation

player limitations will be amended so as to allow a maximum of 22 players to

be dressed and on the bench. During the MIAA tournament, two of these 22

players must be dressed as goaltenders.

72.5 The MIAA Score Sheet must be utilized for all games.

72.6 No overtime games are permitted during the regular season, except during

MIAA sanctioned multi-school events. Overtime games will be counted as ties

for both teams for purposes of MIAA tournament qualification.

72.7 If a player, including the goalkeeper, deliberately removes their helmet and/or

full face protector, the nearest official shall assess a minor penalty and a

misconduct. If a player loses their helmet, and/or full face protector, or a goalie

loses their glove, during play within the scrimmage area, an automatic whistle

must be blown stopping all action, and the player must replace the helmet,

and/or full face protector, or goalie glove. If a goalkeeper deliberately removes

helmet, and/or full face protector, or glove during a breakaway during the last

two minutes of play, or anytime during overtime, the nearest official shall

assess a penalty shot and a misconduct.

72.8 Any player or coach ruled out of a game for a game disqualification penalty

shall not participate in the next two succeeding regularly scheduled games to

be played with a member of the MIAA or in tournament play.

72.9 Any member of a squad who willfully, flagrantly or maliciously attempts to

injure an opponent shall be removed from the game immediately and shall be

ineligible in all sports for one year from the date of the incident. (Butt-ending

is to be interpreted under the NF rule and then, under this rule, if warranted).

Revised 11/22/16


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72.10 Any penalty after a whistle shall include a misconduct on the penalized

player(s).

72.11 Upon receipt of six total minutes of penalties -- any combination of a major or

minors -- a player will be excluded from the remainder of that game. This

amendment supersedes NFHS Rules 4-3-4 and 4-5-2.

72.12 After four game disqualification penalties, each subsequent disqualification

penalty received by a team will result in forfeiture of the subsequent MIAA

contest. These penalties will carry over to the next season should a violation

occur in the final game of the season. A status report relative to such

penalties, forfeitures, & local remediation must be immediately filed with the

MIAA office.

72.13 An Ice Hockey player or coach who is ruled out of an MIAA tournament game

for a game disqualification will be ineligible for the remainder of the

tournament. If it is the last game of the tournament for that team, the player

or coach will be ineligible for at least the first two hockey games of the next

season.

72.14 If the opposing team scores a goal while a team is shorthanded by one or more

minor or bench-minor penalties, the shorthanded team shall be permitted to

immediately replace on the ice the first player whose penalty caused his team

to be shorthanded; however, the originally penalized player must remain in

the penalty box until the full 1.5 minutes of his penalty has elapsed, after

which time he may be released from the penalty box at the next stoppage in

play.

72.15 All Ice Hockey Officials will be required to meet in locker rooms with players

and coaches before all regular season games.

72.16 Any coaching staff member who receives two game disqualification penalties

during the pre-season and/or regular season games shall not participate in the

MIAA tournament. The MIAA Ice Hockey Committee has ruled that 2

disqualifications for a coach or a player could occur in 1 game - if reported that

way from the official(s).

72.17 A team will not qualify for the MIAA Tournament if its players receive

collectively during preseason contests (officiated by MIAA referees) and/or

during regular season games more than three disqualification penalties.

72.18 A “game misconduct” called by an Ice Hockey Official would eliminate a player

or coach from the remainder of that game only, as per National Federation

Rules.

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72.19 For all Girls’ and Boys’ Varsity ice hockey contests, the home team must assign

an adult contest manager other than a member of the ice hockey coaching staff

to be responsible for all aspects of administration of the contest.

73. Indoor Track

73.1 High school Indoor Track shall be conducted under the rules of the National

Federation of State High School Associations with the following modifications.

73.1.1 Any alteration of these rules must be sent in writing in advance of

the event by the league or meet director to the schools involved.

73.1.2 The number and type of events will be determined by the by-laws of

league or directors of multi-school events.

73.1.3 No competitor or team will be allowed to compete without wearing a

proper uniform that has the school's name and/or insignia and/or

colors.

73.1.4 In relay races, each team member shall wear the same color and

design school uniform (jersey and shorts). When other visible

apparel is worn under the school uniform, it shall be of the same

color for all teammates choosing to wear them in conformity with

National Federation code.

73.1.5 Recommended number of certified officials is a minimum of 2.


73.2.1 A competitor shall not compete in more than four events,

including relays.

73.2.2 A student may compete in a meet on two consecutive days only once

during a week. No student may compete in a meet on three

consecutive days.

73.2.3 Scoring of a triangular track meet will not count as two competitions






competition.


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74. Lacrosse

74.1 Boys’ lacrosse shall be played under the National Federation lacrosse rules,

except as modified by the MIAA. Girls’' lacrosse shall be played under the US

Lacrosse (Women’s' Division) rules, except as modified by the MIAA.

74.2 Girls’ will wear protective goggles approved by the Sports Medical Committee.

74.3 All participants must wear mouth guards.

74.4 Boys’ matches may not exceed 15 minute quarters. Girls’ matches may not

exceed 25-minute halves.

74.5 Gloves worn by a team do not have to be the same color.

74.6 In Boys’ lacrosse if a team is leading by 12 goals at the end of the third quarter

- the fourth quarter will have running time. There will be no resumption of

stop time once this rule is started.

74.7 In Girls’ lacrosse, if a player receives two yellow cards, she is suspended

from further participation in that game, but does not have to sit out the next

contest. Anyone receiving a red card (misconduct) will be suspended from

further participation in that game and will be prohibited from participating

in the teams’ next game (1 game suspension). Red card violations will be

written up on the game suspension form.

74.8 In Boys’ lacrosse: No penalty will be assessed if a school has different colored

helmets.

74.9 In Boys’ lacrosse: Two stick checks per half may be conducted at random

times by the officials.

74.10 In Girls' Lacrosse: If teams remain tied at the end of regulation, will

use US Lacrosse Rule for Overtime Procedures. The winner will be

decided by “sudden victory”.

75. Outdoor Track

75.1 High school outdoor track shall be conducted under the rules of the National

Federation of State High School Associations with the following modifications.

75.1.1 Any alteration of these rules must be sent in writing in advance by

the league or meet director to the schools involved.

75.1.2 The number and type of events will be determined by the by-laws of

leagues or directors of multiple school meets.

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75.1.3 No competitor or team will be allowed to compete without wearing a

proper uniform that has the school's name and/or insignia and/or

colors.

75.1.4 Track and Field events shall be timed/measured in either metric or

English distances.

75.1.5 In relay races, each team member shall wear the same color and

design school uniform. When other visible apparel is worn under

the school uniform, it shall be of the same color for all teammates

choosing to wear them in conformity with the National Federation

code.

75.1.6 Schools entering a contestant in the pole vault are required to have

a minimum of one member of the school appointed coaching staff

certified in the teaching procedures, rules, and the safety and legal

requirements associated with coaching the pole vault event.

75.1.7 For dual meets a copy of the pole vaulter’s weight certification form

must be presented to the official responsible for that event on the

day of the contest. For state qualifying and all state meets, the form

is part of electronic entry and copy of form is included in the Outdoor

Format. The original weight certification form, signed by the

principal, athletic director, and coach must be kept on file in the

school office and be available on request.

75.1.8 Recommended number of certified officials is a minimum of 2.


75.2.1 A student may compete in a meet on two consecutive days only once

during a week. No student may compete in a meet on three

consecutive days.

75.2.2 A competitor shall not compete in more than four events,

including relays.

75.2.3 Scoring of a triangular track meet will not count as two competitions






competition.


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76. Rugby

76.1 Rugby will be played under the rules of the Laws of the Game Rugby Union.

76.2 In addition to the MIAA Coaches Education requirements (MIAA Rule 33), all

MIAA Rugby Coaches must complete the USA Rugby “Level 200” Coach

Certification. The Level 200 Coach Certification consists of online pre-course

work and attendance at an in-person clinic.

76.2.1 Each team must have a Level 200 certified coach present at every

match and practice


and on duty for all interscholastic rugby games. The medical person shall be

responsible for both teams unless the visiting team has its own medical

coverage. His/her judgment will be final with regard to the condition of a

player after injury. No player may continue to play against the medical

person's advice. The penalty for violation of this provision is forfeiture of the

game.

76.4 Length of Contest

76.4.1 The time of the game will be two (2) 35-minute halves. There will

be no stop time unless indicated by the officials. Half-time will

be 5 minutes. Official time is kept on the field by the referee.

Teams will be allowed on the field thirty (30) minutes prior to

game time.

77. Skiing

77.1 To the maximum extent possible United States Ski Association Rules as

conducted under the rules of the Federation International de Ski (FIS) will

provide guidance for all competitions.

77.2 A hard-shelled helmet specifically designed for skiing must be worn for alpine

skiing. The MIAA Sports Medicine Committee strongly recommends a face

guard for slalom skiing.

77.3 Nordic course length shall not exceed 7 km.

78. Soccer

78.1 Soccer will be played under the rules of the National Federation of State High

School Associations with the following modifications.

78.1.1 Any red or yellow card issued to a high school player/coach must be

reported on the MIAA Soccer Roster and Score Sheet and also

entered on-line in the Members Only section of the MIAA website

(please see Rule 78.2.18 for infraction reporting requirements).

78.1.2 The official time of the contest may be kept on a scoreboard timer or

on a sideline table when competing teams mutually agree, or as

directed by a league/conference.

Revised 3/15/17


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78.1.3 Shin guards must be worn by all players during contests and

practices.

78.1.4 Soccer players are not allowed to wear shoes with metal cleats, or

any metal on the cleat.

78.1.5 Mouth guards are highly recommended for all soccer players while

on the field.

78.1.6 The home team shall wear white or light jerseys and socks, and the

visiting team shall wear dark jerseys and socks (which maintains

the 2010-11 NF Rule indefinitely).

78.2 Sportsmanship

78.2.1 All leagues/conferences must conduct a pre-season meeting for all

head soccer coaches to review sportsmanship goals and objectives.

78.2.2 Regarding "incidental" use of vulgar or profane language, the referee

must caution (yellow card) a player/coach who uses incidental vulgar

or profane language.

78.2.3 All yellow cards must be treated consistently.

78.2.4 Any player who receives a yellow card shall be replaced and shall

not re-enter the contest until the next opportunity for substitution

occurs.

78.2.5 A player committing a second yellow card infraction in the same

contest receives a red card. There are no exceptions. It should be

reported as only a red card (not two yellows or a yellow and a red).

78.2.6 Any player who receives a red card is ejected from the contest and

shall be suspended from further participation for the next two

contests; if a player receives a second red card within the same

season, the player is suspended from further participation in that

contest and the next two contests.

78.2.7 The receipt of two red cards for fighting or for flagrant

unsportsmanlike behavior in the same season will result in a one-

year suspension (from the date of the second offense) in all Fall

sports.

78.2.8 Any team whose players/coaches receive collectively a total of more

than four red cards during the regular season shall not qualify for

the MIAA tournament.


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78.2.9 After a combination of five red cards, subsequent violations will

result in a team forfeiture of the next MIAA contest. These penalties

will carry over to the next season should the violation occur in the

final contest of the season.

78.2.10 Any team whose players receive collectively more than three

fighting penalties during the regular season shall not qualify for the

MIAA tournament.

78.2.11 Any player who receives a third yellow card in a season shall be

suspended from the next contest; a fourth yellow card and

subsequent yellow cards in a season shall result in suspension for

two contests. This penalty carries over to the next soccer season (or

next season if senior) if happens in last contest, or the next to last

contest.

78.2.12 A coach who receives a third yellow card in a season shall be

suspended from coaching the next two contests. A fourth yellow card

in a season shall result in a one year suspension. The penalty carries

over to the next soccer season if happens in last contest, or the next

to last contest.

78.2.13 Any coach (head coach or assistant) who receives a red card, is

ejected from the contest, the contest shall be terminated and

forfeiture will result. Coach shall be suspended from coaching for

the next two contests. If a coach receives a second red card in a

season, that contest is again terminated and forfeited in addition to

the coach being disqualified for one year.

78.2.14 A deliberate (intentional) handball to prevent a ball from entering

the goal is a red card offense. However, the offender will be

suspended from the remainder of that contest and only the next

regularly scheduled contest.

78.2.15 Any varsity team exceeding four red or thirteen yellow cards also

must assign a contest manager other than a coach to away contests,

as well as for all home contests (as required by Rule 78.2.21). This

rule pertains to both boys’ and girls’ soccer, and to contests played

at all levels.

78.2.16 For purposes of obtaining tournament eligibility, no team may

exceed a four red or thirteen yellow cards during the regular

season. Delay of game encroachment and deliberate (intentional)

handball are infractions, which will continue to be enforced and

penalized. The impact of these infractions will be assessed and

will be considered towards tournament ineligibility.


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78.2.17 Any team whose players/coaches receive collectively five (5) yellow

and/or red cards in a contest(including pre & post game) will result

in immediate termination of the contest, and result in forfeiture by

the offending team.

78.2.18 Game officials must complete the infraction section of the MIAA

score sheet for all infractions at all levels. Each school must

forward to the MIAA all Girls’ and Boys’ VARSITY score sheets

where infractions are reported. (Sub-varsity level score sheets

should be filed and maintained at the local level).

78.2.19 Game officials will not receive compensation unless they remain

present at the conclusion of the soccer contest until the student-

athlete handshake is completed and the MIAA score sheet is

properly executed.

78.2.20 After four player/coach fighting or flagrant unsportsmanlike

behavior disqualification's, each subsequent disqualification

received by a team will result in forfeiture of the next contest.

78.2.21 For all boys’ varsity soccer contests, the home team must assign an

adult contest manager, other than a member of the soccer coaching

staff, to be responsible for all aspects of administration of the

contest.

78.2.22 All athletes serving game suspension(s) as a result of infractions

during the regular season will have the remainder of their

suspension continued into Tournament play. However, both players

and team card accumulation will begin at zero (0) in Tournament

play. Any player disqualified during tournament play, is to remain

on the team bench under the direct supervision of the coach.

78.2.23 The MIAA Taunting Policy must be reviewed by game officials with

the captains and coaches in a meeting before each soccer contest.

78.2.24 Each team will be allowed a one-minute time out per half and each

extended time period. The time-out may be called by the coach or

any player on the field during an offensive restart.

78.3 Length of Contests:

78.3.1 Contests shall consist of four 18-minute quarters, two 36-minute

halves, or two 40-minute halves.

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79. Softball

79.1 Softball will be played under the rules of the National Federation of High

School Associations with the following modifications.

79.1.1 Leagues may amend a rule provided such an amendment is not a

substantive change to MIAA rules. However, leagues may wish to

change such things as the type of ball, free substitutions, or similar

acts to speed the game.

79.2 Safety bases are recommended. The Sports Medical Committee recommends

a breakaway or impact base.

79.3 Prior to starting the delivery (pitch) the pitcher shall take a position with the

pivot foot on or partially on the top surface of the pitcher's plate and the non-

pivot foot in contact with the pitcher's plate. Both feet must be in contact with

the pitcher's plate and on the ground within the 24-inch length of the pitcher's

plate.

79.4 The distance between the nearer edge of the pitcher’s plate and the apex of

home plate shall be 43 feet.

79.5 Metal cleats and metal toe plates will be allowed (as per NFHS Rules).

79.6 A regulation game shall be declared, if a team is leading by 12 or more runs

after 5 complete innings (or 4 ½ if the home team is ahead). The 12 run rule

applies in tournament play, prior to sectional semi-final rounds. This rule is

also in effect for all games played during the regular season. Individual

leagues are allowed to include a by-law or rule that reduces the number of

runs, (less than 12) that places this rule into effect.

79.7 Each team when on defense may be granted one conference (time out) per

inning without penalty. A second defensive conference (timeout) during the

same inning will result in the removal of the pitcher. The number of charged

conferences is not cumulative. Time granted for an incapacitated player

shall not constitute a charged conference. A conference is not charged when

the pitcher is removed as pitcher. The defensive team charged conference rule

coverage is in effect when the ball first becomes live at the start of each half

inning.

80. Swimming

80.1 The National Federation of State High School Associations Swimming Rules

shall govern all dual and championship meets.

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81. Tennis

81.1 Massachusetts's high school tennis shall be played under the rules of the

United States Tennis Association with the following modifications:

81.1.1 All matches are to be decided on the basis of best two out of three

sets with a 7-point tie-breaker when a set reaches 6-6 in games.

(Local conditions may cause an adjustment of this rule by prior

mutual consent).

81.1.2 Team contests will consist of three singles and two doubles matches

with seven participants taking part. No player may play more than

once in the same team match under any circumstances. (If fewer

than seven players are available for a match, line-ups will be

determined on the basis of most number of participants, and least

number of points forfeited as prescribed in Rule 81.2.3. Any league

may have the option of increasing the number of single matches to

four or five in league contests only.

81.1.3 Players are to be played in order of ability: i.e., the first and second

singles players will be the two best players on the team actually

engaging in the match, and the best player will play number one and

the second best player will play number two. The third singles

player will be representative, and the two doubles teams will be

played in order of their ability. Written line-ups must be exchanged

prior to the warm-up period of each team match, and coaches must

be able to provide the basis/justification of their team line-ups,

clearly indicating exactly why their individual players and doubles

teams are playing in the order they are listed on the line-up. This

basis/justification should include, but is not limited to, written

records, including dates and scores, of two-of-three set or 8-game pro

set challenge matches. (Violation of this rule will result in match

forfeiture of that team's point or points affected by the violation).

81.1.4 Coaching, by the high school team coach only, is allowed on side

changes during the entire match except after the first game of each

set and during a tie-break game. Coaching may not interfere with

the USTA rule governing side changes which states as follows:

When the players change ends at the end of a game, a maximum of

ninety (90) seconds are allowed. However, after the first game of

each set and during a tie-break game, play shall be continuous and

the players shall change ends without a rest. The maximum time

starts from the moment that one point finishes until the first

service is struck for the next point.

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81.1.5 Only participating players are allowed within the playing area while

a match is in progress.

81.1.6 There will be no more than a five minute time delay for any injury

affecting an individual player. If a player is unable to continue a

match (a match to be considered as starting with the first serve),

that match shall be forfeited in the team score.

81.1.7 Preceding a match, the visiting team shall have a 15 minute warm-

up period with the courts at their disposal; each player or doubles

team will subsequently have a five minute warm-up with their

respective opponents before the match commences. All practice

serves shall be taken by all players during the warm-up period.

81.1.8 The home team shall be responsible for providing at least 15 new

USLTA-approved balls for every varsity team match. Low pressure

balls are not acceptable.

81.1.9 The home coach is responsible for proper spectator deportment.

81.1.10 The home coach should make provisions to have water available

within the playing enclosure for all players.

81.1.11 If a player becomes incapacitated during the warm-up period, a

substitution may be made as long as the substitution conforms to

all rules enunciated herein. If not, the point must be forfeited in

the team score.

81.1.12 Each coach is responsible for his/her own team members, whether

they are players or spectators.

81.2 Clarification of terms:

81.2.1 "Prior consent" means that a coach must inform the opposing coach

at least 24 hours in advance of a scheduled match as to the

conditions causing a request for an adjustment.

81.2.2 "Representative" means that the player is one of the best seven

players available for the match.

81.2.3 The prescribed arrangement for playing a match when one team

has fewer than seven players is:

Number of Players Points Played Points Forfeited

3 1st singles 1st doubles

3 2nd singles 2nd doubles

3 3rd singles


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4 1st singles 2nd doubles

4 2nd singles 3rd singles

4 1st doubles

5 1st singles 2nd doubles

5 2nd singles

5 3rd singles

5 1st doubles

6 1st singles 3rd singles

6 2nd singles

6 1st doubles

6 2nd doubles

81.3 No competitor or team in tennis will be allowed to compete without wearing

a proper uniform that has the school’s name and/or insignia.

81.4 If a singles player or doubles team in the MIAA Tournament cannot

participate in the next round, then their next scheduled opponent would

receive a victory by default and advance to the subsequent round (i.e. a

previously defeated opponent may not play in their place).

82. Unified Sports

The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association and the Massachusetts Secondary

School Administrators Association will work together with Special Olympics Massachusetts to

encourage and develop Unified Sports through MIAA school memberships.

Unified Sports combines approximately equal numbers of Special Olympics athletes and

athletes without disabilities (called partners) as teammates on sports teams for training and

competition. Age and ability matching of athletes and partners is defined on a sport-by-sport

basis. Throughout the year, Unified Sports athletes improve their physical fitness, sharpen

their skills, challenge the competition and have fun, too.

Key Concepts:

The Unified Sports Team will represent your high school just like any other varsity

level sport.

Teams will be made up of students with and without intellectual disabilities

(approximately 50/50).

Teams will practice, travel, and compete together.

Anticipated Sports in 2015-2016

Fall: Basketball

Spring: Track and Field

Goals: 2015-2016

Recruit and expand member school participation in Unified Sports offerings


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Continue to showcase and model the South League and Midland/Wachusett League

(Track and Field) for ongoing state-wide implementation

Establish 1-2 additional Track and Field leagues state-wide

Implement and host a first “MIAA Unified Sports Track and Field State Meet”

Provide schools with professional development in establishing Unified Basketball and

Track and Field programs

Establish and schedule first formal MIAA Unified basketball games state-wide

83. Volleyball

83.1 NCAA Women's rules shall be used for both boys’ and girls’ with the

following modifications.

83.1.1 The height of the net (measured from the center of the court) is 7’4

1/8” for girls’ and 7’11 5/8” for boys’.

83.1.2 Each team is entitled to 18 player substitutions per set in varsity

matches. Libero replacements are not counted as player

substitutions. Unlimited substitutions are allowed in sub varsity

matches.

83.2 Schedule of Matches:

All varsity competitions will be three out of five sets, played to 25 points

utilizing rally scoring, and will count toward the season and weekly schedule

limit. The fifth varsity set will be played to 15 points. Junior varsity

competitions will be two out of three sets, played to 25 points utilizing rally

scoring, with the third set played to 25 points, and will count toward the

season and weekly schedule limit. Individual leagues/conferences are allowed

to include a by-law or rule that increases the number of total junior varsity

sets per match to three, regardless of the outcome of the first two sets.

83.3 There will be no limit to the number of substitutions of junior varsity players

in a junior varsity contest.

83.4 Warm-up time will be 15 minutes.

83.5 Participation Limitations – (unless agreed upon by both coaches)

83.5.1 The number of matches a student is allowed to play per day is two.

83.5.2 When competing against only one school on a given day, a student

may participate in part of a varsity or junior varsity contest on the

same day provided he/she does not appear in more than a total of

five sets.


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83.5.3 When playing a match against each of two schools on the same day,

a student is limited to a maximum of 5 sets against each opponent.

83.5.4 If a coach wants to request that players on his/her team participate

in more than 5 sets, this must be agreed upon by both coaches prior

to the match. Prior notification is required if a junior varsity match

is going to precede a varsity match.

83.6 If either team wishes to use the libero:

83.6.1 The home team is responsible for providing a libero tracker.

83.6.2 If the home team does not have a libero tracker and the visiting

team is willing and able to provide a tracker, the home team must

allow that person to sit at the score table and act as the official

libero tracker.

83.6.3 If the visiting team cannot provide a libero tracker, the home team

MUST provide someone (other than the official scorer) to track the

libero.

83.6.4 The libero tracker records all substitutions for the team (s) using a

libero.

83.7 Boys’ playing on a girls’ team:

83.7.1 It is a fault for a male player on a mixed gender girls’’ team to attack

a ball, if, on contact, the ball is both completely above the height of

the net and in the “front zone”. The play becomes illegal when the

ball has completely crossed the net untouched or is legally blocked

by an opponent.

83.7.2 Only female front row players are permitted to participate in a

completed block.

83.8 Volleyball Teams will be allowed to compete in a maximum of two “Open

Dates” where teams can compete in a pool play format with a number of

different teams on one day. The maximum number of 25 point sets allowed

in this format is not to exceed 15.

83.8.1 An “Open Date” can only take place on a non-school day.

83.8.2 Each “Open Date” played would result in one fewer contest

opportunity from the current 20 contest limit.

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83.8.3 “Open Dates” will not count toward the win-loss record for MIAA

Tournament qualification.

84. Wrestling

84.1 The National Federation Wrestling Rules will be the official rules of all

Boys’ wrestling contests, including all tournaments with the following

exception: Any regular season dual-meet competition ending in a tie score

shall remain a tie. Only tie scores in a dual meet tournament will be decided

by the existing National Federation tie-breaker criteria. Girls’ wrestling will

follow FILA Freestyle Wrestling Rules with rule modifications to be

recommended to the MIAA Board of Directors by the Wrestling Committee.

84.2 Schedule of Matches:

84.2.1 Member schools shall not schedule or compete on more than 20 days

of competition with 24 minutes (not including overtime), the

maximum amount of time that a student may compete on any given

day, exclusive of MIAA sponsored tournaments.

84.2.2 A triangular meet is a competition involving three teams. A

quadrangular meet is a competition involving four teams. In each

case a team competes in a dual meet with the other teams.

84.2.3 A dual, double dual, triangular, quadrangular or tournament meet

may be held on consecutive days.

84.2.4 A double dual, triangular, quadrangular or tournament meet must

be scheduled on a day preceding a non-school day, i.e., Friday,

Saturday, the day before a vacation or holiday, or during school

vacation periods.

84.2.5 A double dual, triangular, or quadrangular meet or one day

individual tournament will count as one day of competition.

84.2.6 Approval for a multi-school event must be obtained for any in-season

tournament competition. A two day tournament will count as 2 of

the 20 days allowed for competition.

84.2.7 An in-season team tournament is competition involving a maximum

of eight teams in the championship bracket. (Multi-school event

approval must be obtained).

84.2.8 A team tournament will count as one day of competition. In a team

tournament, complete teams, not individuals, advance.


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84.2.9 Such a tournament must be held on a non-school day.


84.3.1 Participants may only compete in events described above.

84.3.2 A wrestler must qualify at the sectional tournament in order to

wrestle in the state tournament. No substitutes will be allowed.

84.3.3 Twenty-four minutes, not including overtime, shall be the maximum

amount of time that any wrestler may participate on any given day

during the season.

84.3.4 A wrestler must participate in at least ten practice days before

competing in a meet or tournament.

84.4 Weight Control and Certification Procedures:

84.4.1 The weight control program applies only to wrestlers competing for

MIAA member schools in competition between MIAA member

schools and out-of-state schools which are members in good standing

of their State high school athletic association.

84.4.2 Definition: A wrestler's certified weight class is the lowest weight

at which the wrestler may compete anytime during the current

season.

84.4.3 An MIAA Minimum Weight Control Certificate will be issued to

each wrestler at the beginning of the season. This Certificate will

contain a statement showing the wrestler's certified minimum

weight class. This Certificate must be filled out in ink and signed in

ink by the wrestler, the wrestler's parent or guardian, the wrestler's

coach, and a certified licensed physician, and must be on file in the

athletic director's office prior to the wrestler's first interscholastic

competition.

84.4.4 A wrestler not properly certified may not compete in any

interscholastic meet or tournament.

84.4.5 A MIAA Minimum Weight Control List, including each and every

wrestler's name and certified minimum weight class will be filled

out in ink and then entered in MIAA Member’s Only prior to the

first allowable interscholastic competition. A copy of this form must

be exchanged with the opposing schools at each weigh-in during the

season, including tournaments.


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84.4.6 To qualify at a certain weight for the MIAA Individual

Sectional & State Tournaments, a wrestler must weigh-in at

his certified weight class at scratch weight at least once

during the season, shoulder to shoulder in front of an

opposing coach. The opposing coach must sign the weigh-in

sheet verifying the scratch weight. Wrestler must achieve

scratch weight if the first weigh-in occurs after the 2 lb.

allowance is granted on January 1st each year.

Wrestler must also weigh-in at the base weight (scratch

weight plus any rule book allowances) 60% of the varsity days

of competition on which the wrestler competes. Rule book

weight class allowances count toward the 60% certification.

With this rule there is a change in the language as well as a

separation with-in the language to show that they are

separate weigh-in procedural rules.

84.4.7 A wrestler may weigh-in for a varsity dual meet and compete at

that weight or the next heavier weight. A wrestler may weigh-in

for a varsity dual meet or tournament at the next weight heavier

than the wrestler's certified weight class. If a wrestler ever weighs

in for a varsity dual meet or MIAA sanctioned tournament two

weight classes above the wrestler's certified weight class, the

wrestler loses his certification at the lower weight class and is then

certified at the next heavier weight class. Exception: All wrestlers

may weigh in two weight classes above their certified weight prior

to December 25th without losing their certification. For example, a

wrestler who certified at 106 lb., may never, during that current

season, weigh in at 120 lb. and keep the 106 lb. certification. The

wrestler may weigh in at 113 lb. and wrestle at 120 lb. and keep

the 106 lb. certification.

84.4.8 Schools may weigh their wrestlers at their home schools on the day

of the meet and only during the 60-minute period immediately

prior to the beginning of the academic school day. For matches

beginning after 3:00 p.m. on a non-school day, a single 60-minute

weigh-in period between 6:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon will be allowed.

Any wrestler who makes weight during the earlier weigh-in is

allowed an additional three pounds at the match site weigh-in.

Any wrestler failing to make weight at the earlier weigh-in must

make scratch weight at the match site weigh-it. Actual weights

will be recorded on all dual meet weigh-in sheets. Signatures of the

coach and a school administrator (the principal or his designee)

must appear in ink on the dual meet weigh-in sheets in order for

the weigh-in to be validated. These dual meet weigh-in sheets will


93

be kept by the coaches and one for each and every day of competition

must be handed in at the sectional seeding meeting, or the day will

not count toward certification or seeding.

84.4.9 Home management shall, each year prior to the first home meet,

have the weigh-in scale certified and the official seal affixed.


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Part VI - Penalties

This brief section outlines the philosophy, rational and potential penalties that are a part of the MIAA responsibilities. Topic Page

85. Penalties ............................................................................................. 95

86. Participation of an Ineligible Student ............................................... 96


95

PART VI: PENALTIES

85. Penalties

Pursuant to the Constitution of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association,

Inc., Article IV, Section D(1) (j), the Board of Directors has the right to fix and enforce

penalties for violations of these Association Rules and Regulations.

Penalties relating to specific rules often are contained within those regulations. In

addition to these penalties, the Board of Directors has the authority to determine

penalties as set forth below. In some cases, the penalty for violation of a specific rule

may exceed the general penalties set forth herein.

85.1 The Board of Directors is authorized to warn, censure, fine, place on probation

or suspend any player, team, coach, game official, school official, or school,

which violates any MIAA rule regarding interscholastic athletics. The Board

of Directors shall have authority to delegate to the executive staff, duly

constituted committees, subcommittees, or ad hoc committees its power to

impose and enforce penalties.

85.2 No member school shall be suspended from the Association until a hearing

has been held with the representative of that school, or a hearing has been

offered to such representatives. In the case of such a hearing, the accused

shall be given notice of the nature of the alleged violation and an opportunity

to present relevant testimony prior to any decision being rendered by the

Board of Directors.

85.3 Any penalty imposed under the rules and regulations can be waived or

reduced after hearing by the Board of Directors or a subcommittee of the

Board. (Game Officials' judgments are not subject to appeal).

85.4 The Board of Directors shall have the right to give warning, censure, place

on probation, or eliminate any school from MIAA tournaments if said school

cannot control the conduct of its spectators.

85.5 Violations of the rules which restrict seasons for practice and/or games in

any sport may result in the elimination of the violating school from

participating in that sport for one year from the date of suspension. Any

school team found in violation of the seasonal limitation rule may result in

that team being ineligible for its league championship that year and from

participating in MIAA sponsored tournaments.

85.6 Violations of the rules which limit a student's high school participation in a

single day, or a school's participation in multiple school events, or in

competition against non-member schools will result minimally in a letter of

censure, copies of which will be mailed to the school committee,


96

superintendent, principal, athletic director, and reported on the MIAA

website.

85.7 The code for specific sports often includes rules and penalties which apply to

that sport.

86. Participation of an Ineligible Student

The principal of a school which plays a student who is later found to be ineligible,

whether because of the student's own misstatement or lack of care on the part of the

school authorities, shall notify in writing the principal(s) of the opposing school(s) and

the Executive Director of the MIAA, forfeiting every competition in which the ineligible

student competed.

86.1 Since the principal is personally responsible for attesting to the eligibility of

each contestant, and since allowing an ineligible player to participate in a

contest is a serious matter, it is strongly advised that the principal give

personal attention to this matter.

86.2 If a school uses an ineligible student in any interscholastic contest, such

contest shall be forfeited to the opposing school. In individual sports, the use

of an ineligible player would result in the contest being forfeited. However,

the performances and outcomes of the other individuals would stand.

I

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97

Part VII - Procedures

Contained in this section are the procedures for obtaining student eligibility waiver and for requesting a rule change. The procedures for appealing a decision or having a hearing are also outlined. Rule Number Page

87. Student Eligibility Waiver -- The Process ........................................................... 98

88. Bona Fide Team Member Waiver Guidelines ................................................... 101

89. Procedure for Requesting a Rule Change ......................................................... 101

90. Hearings and Appeals ....................................................................................... 102


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PART VII: PROCEDURES

87. Student Eligibility Waiver -- The Process

87.1 Any request for the waiver of any eligibility rule on behalf of an individual

student must be made by the principal on the White Book form designated,

"Application for Waiver of Athletic Eligibility Rule." This form, together with

any background information, additional pertinent facts, extenuating or

unusual circumstances, documents required by the rules, doctors' statement

or certificate shall be sent to the MIAA office. Waivers approved are for that

school year only and may be restricted to one or two seasons depending on the

circumstances.

Seasonal deadlines are: September 22, December 15, and April 1. Waivers for

the next school year may be submitted after final grades for the current school

year are issued.

87.2 The MIAA Executive Director or his/her designee shall have the authority to

set aside the effect of any eligibility rule upon an individual student if (1) the

rule works an undue hardship on the student, (2) granting the waiver will not

result in an unfair competitive advantage, (3) the waiver approval would not

cause displacement of another student-athlete from the appellant’s own team,

and (4) the waiver would not be in conflict with the general well-being of MIAA

interscholastic athletic objectives.

87.3 Requests for waivers shall be stated on the form described above and must

contain sufficient data to make it possible for the Executive Director or his/her

designee to reach a decision without further investigation. When presented

with unusual circumstances offered as justification for the waiver, the

Executive Director or his/her designee may contact the sending school

principal or athletic director to obtain further information prior to making a

decision on the request.

Whenever a request to waive the transfer rule is acted upon by the Executive

Director or his/her designee, a copy of that action will be forwarded to the

principal of the sending school at the same time the decision is emailed to the

receiving school principal. The sending school principal should contact the

MIAA office within two days of receipt of the decision if he/she wishes to

appeal the initial positive decision, or wishes to be notified if the negative

decision is appealed by the receiving school.

87.4 An adverse decision by the Executive Director may be appealed before a

subcommittee of the Eligibility Review Board (ERB). Three ERB members

will constitute a quorum. Requests for an appeal hearing before the ERB must

be submitted in writing to the Executive Director within seven school days of

notification of the adverse decision. The appeal must include the endorsement

in writing of the school principal.

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99

87.5 Adverse decisions of the ERB may be appealed by the student's principal for

a hearing before a subcommittee of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic

Council (MIAC). All appeals before the ERB or the MIAC must be presented

in person by the high school principal or his/her designee who must be an

assistant principal in that high school or the athletic director. Appeals of ERB

decisions must be filed in writing with the Executive Director within seven

school days of receipt of notification of the adverse decision (See Rule 87.4).

The student, parents or guardians or other representatives may appear in

person before the ERB and MIAC. The four standards which must be

addressed in an appeal before the Board or Council are:

87.5.1 The rule works an undue hardship on the student; and

87.5.2 Granting the waiver will not result in an unfair competitive

advantage; and

87.5.3 The waiver approval would not cause displacement of another

student-athlete from the appellant's own team; and

87.5.4 The waiver would not be in conflict with the general well-being of

MIAA interscholastic athletic objectives.

Bay State League

District F

Middlesex League/Merrimack Valley Conference

Tri-Valley League

The above have been delegated by the MIAA Board of Directors to deal with some

student eligibility waivers from their schools and their decisions are final and not

reviewable by the MIAA.

*


100

Eligibility Appeals Procedure In Behalf Of

An Individual Student-Athlete _________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Eligibility Appeals Procedure Affecting

More Than One Student-Athlete ________________________________________________________________________________________

MIAC

Appeals Committee

Eligibility Review

Board Subcommittee

Executive Staff

Principal's

Waiver Request

MIAC

Board of Directors

Executive Staff

Principal's

Waiver Request


101

88. Bona Fide Team Member Waiver Guidelines

The Bona Fide rule requires that members of a school team actively participate in all

team practices and competitions. Members of a school team are precluded from missing

a high school practice or competition in order to participate in a non-school

event/activity in any sport recognized by the MIAA.

On occasion, a student might find himself/herself in potential conflict with this rule.

This can happen when a student-athlete has an association with an out-of-school team

or has an opportunity to participate in some special tournament or on a special team. A

waiver of the bona fide team rule excusing the student from the school activity that day

and allowing the student to participate in such a non-school event is possible under the

guidelines set forth below. Before a waiver request (See White Book for form) is

submitted ALL of the following considerations must be present:

88.1 The non-school event must be a significant experience -- not one normally

available to most anyone.

88.2 The invitation must have come from a personalized invitation -- not a form

letter that went to a large number of students.

88.3 It must be clear that the student is not being exploited and that the student

is truly being singled out to participate.

88.4 The amount of time being missed from school will definitely be considered.

88.5 The number of school team activities being missed will be a factor considered.

88.6 There is a limit to the number of times that a student could qualify for a

waiver. It would be extremely rare that a student-athlete would be granted

more than one waiver per year.

88.7 The request for a waiver must have the written support of the school principal,

the athletic director, and the coach.

Waivers will be considered on an individual basis on the merits of each case. Requests

for a waiver should be addressed to the MIAA. The above points should be addressed

in the waiver request.

89. Procedure for Requesting a Rule Change

89.1 Any group or individual may petition for a change in existing rules. All

proposals must be submitted on the appropriate Whitebook form and sent to

the MIAA before June 1, 2016 if the change is to become effective on July 1,

2017. Any rule proposed after the deadline may be considered only if the Board

of Directors deems said proposal an emergency measure that would affect the


102

health and safety of students. In emergencies, the Board of Directors may

grant temporary waivers or approval for experimental rules.

89.2 Rule change proposals will be voted on by each group listed below with vote

and recommendations due to the MIAA by listed date. Copies of the proposals

will be listed on the MIAA website by September 1, 2016 and will be updated

with votes as they are submitted.

89.2.1 MIAA Sport Committees, MIAA Administrative Committees and

Presidents of MIAA recognized State Sport Coaches' Associations.

Votes are due to the MIAA by December 1, 2016.

89.2.2 The Massachusetts Secondary School Athletic Directors Association

votes are due to the MIAA by February 1, 2017. The MIAA District

Athletic Committees votes are due to the MIAA by March 1, 2017

89.2.3 The MIAA Board of Directors will act on proposals by May 15, 2017

89.2.4 The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Council will act upon all

proposals by June 1, 2017 and their decision(s) are final.

Each group, when reviewing the rule change proposals may take the following actions:

Record votes in favor and opposed to each proposal.

Recommend an amendment to the proposal with recorded votes in favor

and opposed.

90. Hearings and Appeals

90.1 One year disqualification for sportsmanship violations of an athlete or coach

(only with regard to the penalty length, but not the judgment of the official).

90.1.1 Appeals must be initiated within two school days. Once the original

appeal decision has been announced, subsequent appeals must be

made within seven school days of notification.

90.1.2 Student one-year disqualification's go to Eligibility Review Board

with the same procedural requirements as all other student

eligibility appeals before the ERB.

90.1.3 Coach one-year disqualification's go to the District Athletic

Committee with appeals from District Athletic Committee decisions

going to the Sportsmanship Committee at a regularly scheduled full

Committee meeting.

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103

Student Coach

90.2 District Athletic Committees

90.2.1 A hearing/investigation may be conducted by the District Athletic

Committee (DAC) in response to an incident/allegation/controversy

involving one or more schools in that district.

90.2.2 Contact will be made with the principal(s) of the school(s) identifying

the incident or allegation to be reviewed. The principal (assistant

principal if principal is unavailable) will be required to attend the

forum with all relevant parties (e.g. coach, athletic director) at the

specified time and place.

90.2.3 Whenever more than one district is affected, at least three

representatives from each District Athletic Committee must

participate.

90.2.4 The presiding District Chair will forward findings and consequences

to the principal(s) of the affected school(s) and to the MIAA

Executive Director.

90.2.5 Any appeal must be filed within seven days of notification of the

DAC decision. A member of the original hearing committee should

attend the appeal hearing to serve as a resource.

90.3 Hearing Process

90.3.1 The need for a hearing or investigation is determined by either the

Executive Director or an Association Chair. Contact will be made

with the principal of the school. The principal/assistant principal

will be required to attend sessions with all relevant parties (e.g.

coach, athletic director, student-athlete) at the specified time and

place.

MIAC Sportsmanship Committee

Eligibility Review Board District Athletic Committee

Principal Appeal Coach / Principal Appeal


104

90.3.2 A committee quorum consists of a simple majority of the committee

voting members devoid of vacancies. Game officials, if appropriate,

will be invited to participate. Game officials must submit an

incident report whenever appropriate or requested.

90.3.3 Prior to the appeal beginning, the Chair should announce the format

and time frame for each element of the session. For example, the

principal will present his/her position. Committee members may

ask clarifying questions. Those representing opposition to the

position will be given specific time to present their position. The

committee will follow-up with clarifying questions. The appellant

will be given specific time to "rebut." The Chair will allow each side

to summarize after the Committee has asked its questions of all

parties. Upon completion of the dialogue, the chairman will indicate

that the review will be taken under advisement and that the school

will be notified in writing of the results.

90.3.4 The MIAA conducts its business in open session. Whenever possible

it is recommended that a single individual act as official

spokesperson for the Committee.

90.3.5 While MIAA meetings are open to the public and the media, a school

and/or committee member may request Executive Session when the

issue to be addressed includes potential litigation or the character

of an individual.

90.4 Process for Schools Disqualified from Tournament Play for Violation of MIAA

Rule 86.

90.4.1 A school that has requested an appeal of the Executive Director or

designee’s administrative decision must comply with the following

procedure to be granted an appeal before a Board of Directors Sub-

Committee:

90.4.2 Issue in advance a $300 non-refundable purchase order or school

issued check made payable to the MIAA Endowment Fund (this

check may not be from a Boosters Club or personal account). These

funds will be used to support the MIAA Endowment Fund to

support Educational Athletic initiatives.

90.4.3 Supply five (5) copies of the following to the Board Sub-Committee:

a. Include a letter signed by the Superintendent, Principal and

Athletic Director explaining why the Board of Director’s Sub-

Committee should grant this request.

b. Include a statement(s) from the Principal, Athletic Director

and Coach explaining why this situation occurred.

c. Include a statement from the Principal as to future remedy.


105

90.4.4 In all cases, if the appeal is granted the schools team will be seeded

last in their appropriate divisional alignment. All forfeitures

remain.

90.4.5 In all cases the Principal, Athletic Director and Varsity Coach will

be required to attend the MIAA Rules Orientation Workshop

within six months of the violation.

90.4.6 Please note – compliance with all above does not guarantee Board of

Directors Sub-Committee approval.

90.4.7 Any appeal that is made must be heard by different

individuals. Individuals who sit on the board/committee that

made a decision may not sit on the appellate

committee/board.


106

Regular Season Incidents (Sportsmanship Related)

Tournament Season Incidents

Regular Season Soccer or Hockey Tournament Disqualification

Caused by Excessive Regular Season Penalties

Alleged Rule Violation / Incidents

Example: Recruitment, out-of-season activity, season limitation rule, league realignment, etc.

Sportsmanship Committee

District Athletic Committee or Sport Committee/Subcommittee To be determined by Board of Directors or Executive Director

Principal

Sport Committee/Subcommittee

Principal

Sportsmanship Committee

Sport Committee/Subcommittee

Principal

Board of Directors/Subcommittee

District Athletic Committee

Principal

Board of Directors/Subcommittee


107

Part VIII - Game Officials

This section covers policies and procedures for Game Officials.

Rule Number Page

91. Game Officials’ Committee – Mission Statement .............................................. 108

92. Game Officials -- Policies and Procedures ........................................................ 108

93. Recommended Game Officials’ Fee Schedule ................................................... 110


108

91. Game Officials’ Committee – Mission Statement

The MIAA Game Officials’ Committee provides leadership and service to MIAA member

schools and enrolled game officials. The jurisdiction of the Committee includes

recommending fees; promoting sportsmanship, integrity, and ethics; and responding to

issues germane to the relationship of game officials and interscholastic athletics.

92. Game Officials -- Policies and Procedures

92.1 Requirements to officiate in MIAA tournament events officials must:

Be at least 18 years of age;

Be a certified member of a MIAA-recognized officials'

group for the specified sport;

Provide accurate information on official MIAA

background check application process;

Be cleared through a MIAA background check procedure.

92.2 It is recommended that men and women who officiate high school contests be

enrolled annually with the MIAA for each sport which the individual plans to

officiate during that academic year. MIAA views Game Officials as

independent contractors, and not employees.

92.3 It is recommended that boards of officials, recognized by the MIAA Game

Officials Committee (GOC), annually support the enrollment of all individual

board members by sport. The annual enrollment fee will be established by the

GOC. (The MIAA does make provisions for individuals to enroll if their board

chooses not to enroll its officials).

92.4 MIAA enrolled Boards and individuals will be available on

https://miaa.arbitersports.com website each sport season.

92.5 The MIAA recommends that enrolled officials be assigned to officiate contests

in sports at the levels (e.g. varsity, j.v.) for which fees have been recommended

by the Game Officials Committee.

92.6 Each enrolled official will have access to a current MIAA Handbook.

92.7 The MIAA publishes a seasonal Game Officials' Newsletter.

92.8 In cases of an MIAA rule change, interpretation, or clarification, enrolled

officials in an affected sport will receive notification.

92.9 The president of each enrolled state board of officials shall have the

opportunity to nominate, from his/her list of enrolled officials, one official to

be a voting representative on the MIAA committee for that sport. If the sport

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109

is played by both boys’ and girls’ but under different sport codes, then one

representative for each gender shall be included.

In the absence of a statewide board, presidents of each board may recommend,

in writing, a single enrolled official to represent all boards on that MIAA sport

committee.

92.10 Two enrolled game officials may serve on the MIAA Committee on

Sportsmanship, Integrity, and Ethics.

92.11 It is recommended that member schools provide officials with reasonable

measures of safety and security at game sites.

92.12 It is recommended that member schools provide for payment of officials within

a 90-day period from the date of service.

92.13 It is recommended that officials be examined annually by a physician as to

their fitness to officiate.

92.14 All high school officials must be knowledgeable of the appropriate MIAA

general rules and regulations as well as those rules governing the sport(s)

which he/she is officiating. Each high school official must be knowledgeable

of the MIAA player and coach expulsion rule and be familiar with the

expulsion forms. These forms must be completed whenever a player or coach

is disqualified. Member schools are expected to ensure that game officials

enforce MIAA rules, as well as rules governing each sport (see rules 48.3–

Taunting; 49.8–Pre/Post game; 49.1–Suspensions; for additional information).

92.15 Officials' fees are recommended by the Game Officials Committee for all

member schools. Recommended fees are intended to be inclusive. Travel,

lodging or other expenses should not be paid. It is recommended that school

committees/non-public school boards adopt the GOC recommended fee

schedule.

92.16 Postponement and forfeiture plans established by the league or school district

of the home team should be conveyed to officials. It is recommended that

officials have the telephone numbers and email addresses of the home school

and athletic director.

92.17 The Game Officials Committee shall establish official's fees for MIAA

sponsored tournament competition.

92.18 It is recommended that the number of certified officials assigned to a regular

season varsity contest be as follows:

Football 4 Field Hockey 2 Softball 2

Soccer 2 Gymnastics 2 Wrestling 1


110

Volleyball 2 Swimming 2 Cross Country 1

Baseball 2 Basketball 2 Indoor Track 2

Lacrosse 2 Ice Hockey 2 Outdoor Track 2

Rugby 1

92.19 All officials' assignors/commissioners engaged by member schools and/or

leagues to assign officials to their contests will be required to attend an

annual pre-season meeting with Member School and/or Leagues that hire

them as assignors/commissioners.

92.20 Officials will be required to remain at the TEAM competition site until the

handshake ceremony has concluded.

93. Recommended Game Officials’ Fee Schedule

These fees are recommended in each sport regardless of the length of the periods or the

length of the contest. It is recommended that an official who works a contest alone be

paid a fee and one-half for the following sports: baseball, basketball, field hockey, ice

hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swim and volleyball. Beginning with the 2007-08

school year, if and when three (3) officials are used for regular season contests in the

following sports: Soccer (B&G), Baseball, Softball, Lacrosse (B&G), Field Hockey,

Basketball (B&G), and Ice Hockey (B&G), it is recommended that officials each be paid

85% of the standard fee.

FALL

2015 2016 2017

CROSS COUNTRY $71 $73 $75

FOOTBALL

Varsity $85 $87 $89

Jr. Varsity/Freshman 62 64 66

Thanksgiving Day 101 103 105

FIELD HOCKEY

Varsity $78 $80 $82


SOCCER

Varsity $78 $80 $82


SWIMMING

Varsity $71+(3) $73+(3) $75+(3)

I

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111

VOLLEYBALL

Varsity $77 $79 $81


( ) is paid for each additional event beyond the regular contest.

WINTER

2015-16 2016-17 2017-18

BASKETBALL

Varsity $78 $80 $82


GYMNASTICS

Varsity Dual Meet $83 $85 $87

Varsity Tri-Meet with two judges 87 89 91

ICE HOCKEY

Varsity $78 $80 $82


INDOOR TRACK

$71 $73 $75

SWIMMING

Varsity $71+(3) $73+(3) $75+(3)

WRESTLING

Varsity – Dual Meets $80+(3) $82+(3) $84 + ($4.25)

Jr. Varsity/Freshman 56+(3) 58+(3) $60 + ($4.25)

( ) is paid for each additional event beyond the regular contest.

Revised 3/17/16


112

SPRING

2016 2017 2018

BASEBALL

Varsity $78 $80 $82


LACROSSE

Varsity $78 $80 $82


OUTDOOR TRACK

$71 $73 $75

RUGBY

Varsity $84 $86

Jr. Varsity/Freshman 58 60

SOFTBALL

Varsity $73 $75 $77

Jr. Varsity/Freshman 50 52 $54

VOLLEYBALL

Varsity $77 $79 $81


Revised 3/22/17


113

Part IX - Tournaments

This section provides the philosophy of the MIAA tournaments, tournament cut-off dates, and criteria for tournament qualification. Important points regarding tournament administration and accountability conclude this section. Tournament divisional alignments can be found on the MIAA website (www.miaa.net). Rule Number Page 94. MIAA Tournament Philosophy ................................................................... 114

95. Tournament Cut-Off Dates ......................................................................... 115

96. Divisional Enrollment: Cooperative and Mixed Gender Teams ................. 116

97. Tournament Eligibility ............................................................................... 116

98. Each Student Participant Must Be A Bona Fide Team Member ............... 117

99. Tournament Administration and Accountability ....................................... 118

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114

PART IX: TOURNAMENTS

94. MIAA Tournament Philosophy

The MIAA strongly supports the commitment to interscholastic athletic programs as an

essential educational opportunity for students. Young men and women develop

physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially through voluntary participation in

properly conducted athletic programs, including tournaments. The development of self-

image, character, stamina, physical skills, achievement, self-discipline, and the desire

to excel are all advantages associated with high school sport participation.

The educational value of tournaments has long been recognized by secondary school

educators. High school tournaments are conducted in all 50 states in widely different

sports for teams and individuals, and for both boys’ and girls’. Enthusiasm for

tournaments extends beyond those student-athletes who qualify for these championship

activities. Tournament excitement is often a focal point for school-community

cohesiveness. For the participants, tournaments provide for an intensity in preparation

and a greater level of skill attainment which causes, even beyond the high school years,

a better capacity for facing adversity, discouragement, and the vicissitudes of life.

The purpose of tournaments is to permit qualifying schools and individuals who

represent that school team and who have achieved an established standard of excellence

during that sport season to compete in championship tournaments. Tournaments

demonstrate success and should serve as an incentive for others. They should provide

students and spectators an opportunity, under competitive conditions, to develop

desirable character traits.

Tournaments have the potential to inspire maximum performance, provide quality

competition, afford high visibility for all concerned, and foster personal development.

All tournaments must be carefully planned and controlled. A tournament is justifiable

only when it produces worthwhile results for all involved. Schools, teams, coaches, and

spectators must display good sportsmanship in winning or losing. Negative behavior

must not be tolerated.

Care must be taken to maintain the integrity and importance of regular season play so

that the tournament will serve only as a culminating athletic activity for those who have

demonstrated a specific level of excellence during their regular season.


115

95. Tournament Cut-Off Dates

Fall Sports

2015 2016 2017

Cross Country: Mon 11/9/15 Mon. 11/7/16 Mon. 11/6/17

Field Hockey: Sun. 11/1/15 Sun. 10/30/16 Sun. 10/29/17

Football: North/South Sun. 10/25/15 Sun. 10/23/16 Sun. 10/22/17

Football: Central/West Sun. 11/1/15 Sun. 10/30/16 Sun. 10/29/17

Golf: Thur. 10/15/15 Thur. 10/20/16 Thur 10/19/17

Gymnastics (West) Fri. 11/6/15 Fri. 11/4/16 Fri. 11/3/17

Soccer: Sun. 11/1/15 Tue. 11/1/16 Tue. 10/31/17

Swimming & Diving Sun. 11/8/15 Sun. 11/6/16 Sun. 11/5/17

Volleyball: Mon 11/2/15 Mon. 10/31/16 Mon 10/30/17

Winter Sports

2015-16 2016-17 2017-18

Basketball: Thur. 2/25/16 Thur. 2/23/17 Thur. 2/22/18

Gymnastics

Girls Wed. 2/10/16 Wed. 2/15/17 Wed. 2/14/18

Boys Mon. 2/1/16 Mon. 1/30/17 Mon. 1/29/18

Ice Hockey: Fri. 2/26/16 Fri. 2/24/17 Fri. 2/23/18

Indoor Track: Sun. 2/7/16 Sun. 2/12/17 Sun. 2/11/18

Ski:

Alpine Fri. 2/12/16 Thur. 2/16/17 Wed. 2/28/18

Nordic Fri. 2/5/16 Fri. 2/10/17 Fri. 2/16/18

Swimming & Diving Sun. 2/7/16 Sun. 2/5/17 Sun. 2/11/18

Boys Wrestling: Thur. 2/11/16 Thur. 2/9/17 Thur. 2/8/18

Revised 5/9/17


116

Spring Sports

2016 2017 2018

Baseball: Mon. 5/30/16 Mon. 5/29/17 Mon. 5/28/18

Golf:

Girls Thur. 5/26/16 Thur. 5/25/17 Thur. 5/24/18

Lacrosse:

Boys

North & South Thur. 5/26/16 Thur. 5/25/17 Thur. 5/24/18

Central/East Thur. 5/26/16 Thur. 5/25/17 Thur. 5/24/18

Central/West Thur. 5/26/16 Thur. 5/25/17 Thur. 5/24/18

Girls

North & South Wed. 5/25/16 Thur. 5/25/17 Thur. 5/24/18

East Wed. 5/25/16 Thur. 5/25/17 Thur. 5/24/18

Central/West Thur. 5/26/16 Thur. 5/25/17 Thur. 5/24/18

Outdoor Track: Mon. 5/23/16 Mon. 5/22/17 Mon. 5/21/18

Rugby (2016-17) Mon. 5/29/17 Mon. 5/28/18

Softball Mon. 5/30/16 Mon. 5/29/17 Mon. 5/28/18

Tennis:

Individual Mon. 5/9/16 Mon. 5/8/17 Mon. 5/7/18

Team Mon. 5/30/16 Mon. 5/29/17 Thur. 5/24/18

Volleyball (Boys): Mon. 5/23/16

Mon. 5/22/17 Mon. 5/21/18

Wrestling (Girls): Thur. 5/26/16 Thur. 5/25/17 Thur. 5/24/18

96. Divisional Enrollment: Cooperative and Mixed Gender Teams

For all sports that establish divisions by enrollment, all cooperative teams and mixed

gender teams (see Rule 43.2.1 for golf exception) must combine enrollments for

divisional placement. Each school participating in an approved cooperative program

must register that sport by indicating “co-op” on the membership registration form. In

combining the enrollments, no school will be required to move up more than one division.

97. Tournament Eligibility

97.1 Only member schools sponsoring that sport may be represented in MIAA

tournaments.

Revised 5/19/17


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97.2 To be eligible for tournament participation, that sport must be listed the

previous summer on the MIAA Institutional Registration Form. If there is

any chance you will sponsor a sport - register it when completing the

Registration Form. A refund will be provided if it is later determined not to

offer that sport.

97.3 Qualification: For all team tournaments utilizing winning percentage

97.3.1 A team must have a minimum winning percentage of fifty (50%) of

games played with any and all MIAA member schools and out of

state schools that are members in good standing of their own state

high school association.

97.3.2 In leagues where a team's schedule is comprised of seventy percent

(70%) or more of higher division schools, and there is no small and

large breakout, all MIAA league and MIAA non-league contests

played against equal and/or lower divisions may solely be considered

in the fifty percent (50%) qualifying criteria. Schools may also

access the 70% tournament qualifying opportunity if a league is

aligned by enrollment BUT the league requires cross-scheduling to

the extent that at least 70% of the school’s total required opponents

are in a higher tournament division.

97.3.3 All league champions, regardless of winning percentage. This

includes co-championships.

97.3.4 Runner-up or multi-runners-up in leagues of five or more teams,

provided the league has a single champion. In the case of multi-

champions, no runner-up will automatically qualify.

98. Each Student Participant Must Be A Bona Fide Team Member

98.1 A bona fide member of the school team is a student who is consistently present

for, and actively participates in, all high school team practices and

competitions. Bona fide members of a school team are precluded from missing

a high school practice or competition in order to participate in a non-school

activity/event in any sport recognized by the MIAA. Any student who violates

this standard twice becomes ineligible for the MIAA tournament(s) in that

sport for that season. (See also Rule 45, for additional regular season

consequence.)

98.2 Unattached athletes are not eligible for tournament participation. (See Rule

30).

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99. Tournament Administration and Accountability

It is important that management of Association sponsored tournaments be a

collaborative effort by all who assume responsibility for supporting our students, teams,

and schools. The following should aid this "team effort." Violations of the provisions of

this rule, particularly the ticket financial protocol within 99.10.5, could result in

personal liability of site management personnel.

99.1 Tournament Director Responsibilities

99.1.1 Be fully familiar with your tournament format, and all applicable

MIAA Handbook standards. The MIAA Handbook, sport rule book,

and the Tournament Format should be at each tournament site.

99.1.2 Attend seasonal directors' workshops and other meetings required

by your executive staff liaison.

99.1.3 Receive season schedule/tournament entry forms. Contact schools

that appear will miss the filing deadline.

99.1.4 Examine tournament awards as soon as they are received to

determine their condition and accuracy. Contact MIAA Liaison in

charge of Awards if corrections are required. The director is

responsible for the awards being at final sites.

99.1.5 Tournament personnel should not communicate with coaches, but

should speak directly with each participating school principal or

athletic director. Intent to Enter forms will include an opportunity

for the principal to check off and designate the athletic director as

the school contact person. The Principal, or athletic director if so

designated, should be provided information following the

tournament seeding and after each win as that team progresses

through the tournament. This could require the winning principal

or athletic director to call the results into the tournament director

to acquire information about the next contest for that school team.

99.1.6 Unusual incidents and all injuries must be reported to the MIAA

staff without delay.

99.1.7 Video Taping/Radio/TV - Policy guidelines as outlined in the MIAA

Media Guide shall be followed.

99.1.8 Initiate and execute all MIAA financial reporting requirements as

efficiently as possible within 30 days.

99.2 Seeding is an MIAA sport committee responsibility with voting committee

members being actively involved.


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99.2.1 Seeding meetings are open. Participating schools are encouraged to

be represented.

99.2.2 Seeding must be done in the MIAA office unless otherwise approved

by the executive director or Chair of the TMC.

99.2.3 Seeding must be scheduled to allow sufficient time to:

99.2.3.1 Allow for publication on the day before the tournament

is to begin.

99.3 Site Selection

99.3.1 The executive staff liaison for that sport must approve all site

decisions prior to them being announced.

99.3.2 Sites are to be selected with the following criteria in mind:

* Health and safety of the participants.

* Comfort and safety of the fans (including adequate seating).

* Relative travel requirements for the participating schools.

* Ability to collect tickets in a secure manner.

* Facility expenses and site budget.

99.3.3 In cases when non-member school sites are used, the executive staff

liaison shall approve and sign the appropriate contract.

99.4 Tournament Medical Coverage Policy: Kindly note that Rule 56.2 takes

precedence over the specific sport protocols below.

99.4.1 Golf and Tennis: It is the responsibility of each participating school

to provide for the medical needs of their student-athletes.

99.4.2 Football, Ice Hockey and Rugby: A game will not start unless a

licensed physician, licensed athletic trainer or certified EMT is

present. The school designated as the home team, or the host site

identified with a participating school, must have an AED on site

(and accessible) or with their medical person.

99.4.3 Baseball, Basketball, Field Hockey, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, and

Volleyball: A licensed athletic trainer, licensed physician,

physician's assistant, certified EMT, or nurse practitioner will be

available at all contests. This coverage will be

provided/compensated by the Host School in tournament rounds at

the site of the higher seeded team. The MIAA will compensate for

the coverage at MIAA designated neutral sites.

Revised 3/16/17


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99.4.4 Cross Country, Gymnastics, Indoor & Outdoor Track, Ski, Swim,

and Wrestling: MIAA will compensate a licensed athletic trainer,

licensed physician, physician's assistant, certified EMT, or nurse

practitioner at these Association tournaments. (see also Rules 67.4,

73.3 and 75.3)

99.5 Tickets

99.5.1 Only MIAA tickets will be sold except at those rounds exempted in

field hockey, soccer, volleyball, baseball, lacrosse, football and

softball.

99.5.2 The tournament director is responsible for ticket distribution and

reconciliation. All unused tickets and stubs must be returned with

the financial report.

99.6 Awards

99.6.1 Appropriate, meaningful presentation ceremonies must be planned.

99.6.2 Only official MIAA awards may be presented publicly.

99.7 Association Visibility

99.7.1 Association signage should transform the site into an MIAA venue.

99.7.2 Welcoming MIAA announcements should start each contest.

99.7.3 Announcements about upcoming Association activities in that sport

and other sports should be made periodically. The acronym "MIAA"

should be used frequently to promote positive understanding of the

Association.

99.7.4 PSA's should be announced regularly during timeouts, between

periods, etc.

99.7.5 The MIAA logo should be copied onto tournament programs.

99.8 Postponements

99.8.1 The host school administrator or athletic director (not an involved

coach) must be depended upon to advise regarding local weather

conditions, or to determine if a contest will be postponed.

99.8.2 The following must be the considerations for postponing a

tournament activity: Health and welfare of the student-athletes;

comfort and safety of the fans; travel conditions for participants


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and fans; alternative scheduling options; and financial

implications.

99.8.3 Directors must notify the Association immediately about

postponements which will then be reported on the MIAA Web page.

99.9 Tournament Budgets and Financial Reports

99.9.1 The Tournament Management Committee is charged by the Board

of Directors with responsibility for approving tournament budgets,

auditing tournament financial reports, and with the regulation of all

financial aspects of tournaments.

99.9.2 The financial report should be submitted to the MIAA office signed

by the tournament director no more than 30 days from the

conclusion of the tournament.

99.9.3 Every effort should be made to forward receipts to the MIAA office

within one business day.

99.9.4 Tournament accounts will be audited by an independent auditor

who is a Certified Public Accountant.

99.10 Site Managers

99.10.1 Whenever practical the tournament director will be the site

manager.

99.10.2 If impractical to serve as the site manager, it is the tournament

director's responsibility to designate a site manager to supervise and

oversee each tournament event unless the facility requires

otherwise.

99.10.3 The tournament director shall furnish all site managers with

appropriate MIAA forms (media contract, incident report,

player/coach expulsion, financial, etc.).

99.10.4 The site manager must have knowledge of all tournament

rules/policies as stated herein as well as those found in the

tournament format and appropriate sections of the MIAA

Handbook. The MIAA Handbook, sport rule book, and Format

should be present at each tournament site.

99.10.5 While the nature of a sport may require various responsibilities for

a site manager, the following list of duties serves as examples:

The site must have all required contest markings.


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The facility must be safe for contestants and spectators (e.g. marked

off with ropes).

Hire all game management personnel (e.g. ticket sellers,

announcers, public address system, etc.). Fees to site personnel

must be those established by the Tournament Management

Committee.

Tickets must be torn in half at the contest site and returned with all

unused tickets to the tournament director with the financial forms

for that activity.

The site manager must take all cash to a bank no later than the first

business day after the contest and obtain a cashiers’ check for the

total amount. It is permissible for a school to deposit the receipts in

a school account and draw a school check for the total amount. Mail

the check (made out to MIAA) together with the financial reports

and tickets/stubs to the tournament director.

Horns, posters, noisemakers, confetti, pompoms, balloons, and

banners are not to be permitted at any site. If the site manager feels

that something not mentioned above is also creating a nuisance at a

contest site, the site manager should have such items removed. The

MIAA Sportsmanship Committee has voted to permit bands to be

present and to play at tournaments. However, the following

restrictions are part of this action.

99.10.5.1 A maximum of 12 is permitted. An advisor must be in

attendance and sit with the band.

99.10.5.2 Permission in advance must be granted by the

Tournament Director and Site Director.

99.10.5.3 Pep bands are not permitted to play while the game is

in play.

A full complement of high school bands is permitted at all Superbowl

football contests.

The site manager is responsible to the tournament director for

carrying out all such other duties that are assigned by the

tournament director.


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99.11 Accountability

99.11.1 The executive staff will evaluate the performance of each

tournament director.

99.11.2 A tournament director may not be engaged or renewed who is not

recommended by the executive staff.


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PART X: MIAA CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I - NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Massachusetts Interscholastic

Athletic Association, Inc.

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE

The purpose of the Association shall be to organize, regulate, and promote

interscholastic athletics for secondary schools of Massachusetts. In pursuing this

commitment the Association shall:

A. Provide leadership and service designed to improve interschool relations in

athletics.

B. Foster cooperation among voluntary institutional members and the

Massachusetts Secondary School Administrators' Association,

Massachusetts Department of Education, Massachusetts Association of

School Committees, Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents,

Massachusetts Secondary School Athletic Directors' Association, Coaches,

Game Officials, and with other professional organizations interested in

attaining common goals.

C. Secure uniform regulations and control of interscholastic participation in

athletics throughout the state to provide equitable competition for students

as an integral part of the education of secondary school students.

D. Promote safety and health of participants in interscholastic athletics.

E. Provide leadership that ensures interscholastic athletics are conducted

within reasonable bounds, encouraging all that is honorable and

sportsmanlike.

F. Provide a forum for concerns related to interscholastic athletics for

institutions that are voluntary members of the Association.

G. Develop uniform standards and procedures for determining championships

at the end of the season.


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ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP AND VOTING PROCEDURES

A. Any public or private secondary school in Massachusetts approved by the Board of

Directors shall receive all the rights, privileges and benefits of the influence of this

Association when the following conditions are met: (1) the school committee or

comparable governing board votes to designate the MIAA as its authorized

representative to determine under what conditions the member(s) may compete

with similar organizations in other schools (Ch. 71, Sec. 47 of General Laws); (2)

the school principal, headmaster or director signs an agreement annually to abide

by the rules of this Association governing athletic activities; (3) the school governing

board delegates to the Association the authority to regulate athletics; and (4) the

school pays the service fee specified in Article V.

B. Payment of the institutional service fee entitles that institution to a single vote in

business meetings of the Association on all matters.

C. The administrative head of the school (principal, headmaster, or director) shall

represent the school in votes at all Annual or special meetings of the Association.

In cases when the principal (headmaster or director) is unable to attend a meeting

of the Assembly, he/she shall designate an alternate for voting purposes.

D. Only persons who are bona fide staff members of member schools may be nominated

to serve as voting members of committees of the Association.

ARTICLE IV - ADMINISTRATION

A. OFFICERS

1. The officers of the Association shall be the President, Vice President, and

Executive Director. With the exception of the Executive Director, they shall

be elected at the Annual Meeting of the Association and shall perform the

usual duties of such officers. The President and Executive Director shall be

ex-officio members of each committee and shall be informed in advance of the

date, time and place of all meetings of each committee. The term of office of

each shall begin July 1 each year. The President and Vice President may

succeed themselves once only.

2. The Executive Director shall be the chief administrative officer of the

Association and shall have charge and direction of the day-to-day operation of

the Association and shall act at all times in accordance with the established

policies of the Association as interpreted by the Board of Directors.

a. The Executive Director shall keep records of meetings of the

Association, of the Board of Directors and those sent him/her by

each standing committee; shall oversee dissemination of


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information to the member schools and the public; shall keep and make available lists of

membership in the Association; shall fill staff positions and be responsible for personnel

matters; shall issue reports, circulars, forms and blanks authorized by the Board of

Directors; shall attend all meetings of the Board; shall make an annual report; shall serve as

secretary of the Board, Council, and Assembly; shall keep any other records or make any

other reports requested by the Association or by the Board; and shall perform such other

duties as the Board or a standing committee may request.

b. The Executive Director shall have charge of the money of this

Association and shall keep records according to a system approved

by the Board; shall make payments as directed by the Board or

authorized by a coordinator or by a standing committee; shall

make an annual report which shall include a financial statement

audited previous to the annual meeting as directed by the Board.

c. The Executive Director shall be elected for a continuous term by

the Board except that the Board shall review his/her re-election

annually and may at that time for good cause declare the position

vacant. The salary and allowances for expenses connected with

the position shall be determined by the Board.

B. ASSEMBLY

1. The Assembly shall be the legislative body of the Association. It shall elect

officers from among members of the Board of Directors at its Annual Meeting.

The Assembly shall have the authority to establish standing committees by

majority vote at any annual or special meeting of the Association.

2. The Assembly shall consist of the principal or designee of the principal of each

member institution.

3. The Assembly shall meet annually at a time and place determined by the

Board of Directors. Special meetings of the Assembly may be called by the

President or the Board of Directors.

4. The Assembly may organize administrative committees to be responsible to

the Board of Directors between annual meetings. All administrative and

official committees shall report to the Assembly at annual meetings and at

special meetings of the Assembly as requested.

5. The Assembly shall, when called upon, vote upon any proposed rule change,

which shall be referred to it by the Board of Directors of the MSSAA. When

such a vote is taken and a majority of the Assembly takes a position for or

against that rule change and that position is contrary to the position of the

Board of Directors of the MIAA, there shall be dialogue with the Board of


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Directors of the MIAA and the Board of Directors of the MSSAA. The final

action on the change will take place only after the Board of Directors of the

MSSAA has had a chance to review the MIAA Board of Director's position and

commented to them on the proposed change.

6. The Assembly shall elect all members of non sport (see IV-E-4 below) standing

committees. The term of office of all committees shall begin July 1.

7. A quorum for the transaction of business shall consist of representatives from

one hundred (100) of the member schools.

C. NOMINATING COMMITTEE

The District Athletic Committees shall serve as the Nominating Committee.

The Nominating committee shall present nominations for officers of the Board of

Directors and all non sport (see IV-E-4 below) standing committees at the Annual

Meeting of the Assembly.

D. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

1. The 20 regular voting members of the Board of Directors consists of eight

members elected by the MSSAA (one from each athletic district), two elected

by the MASC, two by the MASS, and eight by the MSSADA. Eight athletic

directors, representing districts A through G, must be members of the Board

at all times. The term of each member shall be three years beginning July 1

of the year of election. If a minimum of four women are not seated on the

Board at any time, then the Board will appoint the balance to ensure a total of

four. These “at large” appointees will be from different districts and may be

selected from the ranks of: principals and assistant principals; athletic

directors and assistant athletic directors; coaches; superintendents and

assistant superintendents; game officials; or school committee members.

When practical, these appointments will reflect the same proportion or

representatives groups as reflected in the Constitution. The Board also shall

appoint one minority member “at large” if such representation does not occur

through the traditional elections process. Individuals appointed “at large” by

the Board will serve through June 30 of the fiscal year their appointment

becomes effective.

a. The President and Vice President shall be elected by the MIAA

Assembly from members of the Board of Directors. The President shall

be the presiding officer at Board meetings, the Annual Meeting and all

special meetings of the Association. The term of office of each shall be

one year. Officers may succeed themselves once only.

b. The Board of Directors shall carry out the general activities and policies

of the Association.


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c. The Board shall appoint the Executive Director who shall be a non-

voting member of the Board of Directors.

d. The Board shall set the compensation for employees.

e. The Board shall decide on the time and place of the meetings of the

Association and of the Board.

f. The Board shall be empowered to appoint until the next Annual

Meeting of the Assembly in case of vacancies of officers, Board

members, and members of committees.

g. The Board shall determine the number and composition of each

athletic district.

h. Between Annual Meetings the Board may create and appoint special

committees as circumstances may require.

i. The Board shall hear appeals from decisions of administrative and

sport committees after the same shall have been heard by the

committee having jurisdiction.

j. The Board shall have the following powers and specific duties: (1) give

interpretations of the eligibility and other rules relating to

interscholastic athletics; (2) fix and enforce penalties for violations of

these rules; (3) appoint annually district athletic committees from

each of the athletic districts of the State; (4) designate the duties of

committees; (5) review and be responsible for all decisions and to

approve, modify or reverse decisions of these committees. The Board

shall have authority to approve the budget of each committee.

k. The Board shall issue rules and regulations governing interscholastic

athletics and may review these from time to time as it deems

necessary.

E. ORGANIZATION OF COMMITTEES

1. Each standing committee shall choose its own chair. The chair shall call

meetings as needed and assume leadership in the work of the committee.

Each standing committee shall choose a secretary. A secretary shall keep

the records of the meeting and shall send copies of these records to the

Executive Director. The chair or his/her designee shall attend meetings of

the Board of Directors as requested by the Board.

2. The powers and duties of any committee shall be those needed to regulate

and control the activity it sponsors; however, these duties and powers may

be designated in detail by the Board of Directors or by the Assembly.

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3. When any standing committee is first organized, the term of office of the

members shall be set for one, two, and three years beginning July 1 to secure

a rotation of vacancies. Thereafter vacancies shall be filled so as to maintain

this rotation.

4. The standing committee for each sport shall consist of:

a. One principal and one athletic director from each of the eight athletic

districts, except district E which has two principals and two athletic

directors appointed to each committee. Principals and athletic directors are

appointed by their respective District Athletic Committees. ("Principal"

may be either a principal or assistant principal who spends at least 50% of

his/her time in duties related to the general administration of the school.)

In the event that a district is unable to provide both a principal and an

athletic director to serve as representative, the District Chair may appoint

a second principal or athletic director to serve for a one-year term only.

b. One school committee member appointed by MASC from school systems

having one or more schools that are institutional members of MIAA.

c. One superintendent appointed by MASS from school systems having one

or more schools that are institutional members of MIAA.

d. One individual appointed by the Assembly who is currently coaching that

sport in an MIAA member school to serve in a voting capacity. If the sport

is played by both boys’ and girls’, then one coach for each gender shall be

included. The state coaches' association for each sport may nominate

candidates for these positions.

e. One enrolled game official appointed by the Assembly to serve in a voting

capacity. If the sport is played by both boys’ and girls’ and under different

sport codes, then one game official for each gender shall be included. The

president of each state officials’ board may recommend candidates for each

position. In the absence of a statewide board, presidents of each officials'

board in that sport must recommend, in writing, agreement on a single

enrolled official to represent all boards.

5. Gender Representation: If a minimum of four (4) women are not voting

members of the Eligibility Review Board; or the Sports Medicine,

Sportsmanship, Tournament Management, Game Officials, Basketball, Field

Hockey, Golf, Gymnastics, Ice Hockey, Girls’’ Lacrosse, Ski, Soccer, Softball,

Swim, Tennis, Track, or Volleyball committees, then the Board of Directors will

appoint the balance to ensure a total of four. These appointees will be made

from different districts and may be selected from the ranks of: principals and

assistant principals; athletic directors and assistant athletic directors; coaches,


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superintendents and assistant superintendents; game officials; or school

committee members. When practical, these appointments will reflect the same

proportion of representative groups as reflected in the Constitution, except that

at least one appointee must be an active high school coach. Individuals so

appointed by the Board will serve through June 30 of the fiscal year their

appointment becomes effective.

6. If at least one minority is not seated on all sport committees, along with the

Wellness, Sportsmanship, and Tournament Management committees, then at

least one minority member is to be appointed “at large” by the Board, if such

diversity representation does not occur through the traditional elections process.

7. COMMITTEE ON SPORTSMANSHIP, INTEGRITY, AND ETHICS

a. Membership

(1) One principal and one athletic director from each of the eight

athletic districts, except District E which has two principals and

two athletic directors. Principals and athletic directors are

appointed by the Assembly.

("Principal" may be either a principal or assistant principal who

spends at least 50% of his/her time in duties related to the

general administration of the school.) Each district athletic

committee, through its chair, shall be invited to submit

recommendations for these positions to the Nominating

Committee.

In the event that a district is unable to provide both a principal

and an athletic director to serve as representative, the District

Chair may recommend a second principal or athletic director to

serve for a one-year term only.

(2) One school committee member appointed by MASC from school

systems having one or more schools that are institutional

members of MIAA.

(3) One superintendent appointed by MASS from school systems

having one or more schools that are institutional members of

MIAA.

(4) Two coaches appointed by the Assembly to serve in a voting

capacity, one representing boys’ sports and one representing

girls’' sports. The MSCA may nominate candidates for these

positions.


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(5) Two enrolled game officials appointed by the Assembly to serve

in a voting capacity, one representing boys’ sports and one

representing girls’' sports. The president of each statewide

officials’ board may recommend candidates for each position. In

the absence of a statewide board, presidents of each officials'

board may recommend a candidate.

(6) At least one minority member is to be appointed “at large” by

the Board of Directors, if such diversity representation does not

occur through the traditional elections process.

b. Duties and responsibilities.

The Standing committee on Sportsmanship, Integrity, and Ethics shall:

(1) Prepare and promote strategies designed to improve the

attitudinal postures of all constituencies.

(2) Prepare and update a section to be a part of the MIAA

Handbook.

(3) Provide a clearinghouse for all sportsmanship issues.

(4) Conduct hearings with regard to sportsmanship problems.

(5) Assign and/or accept assignments as observers.

(6) Review observer forms and take appropriate action.

(7) Prepare articles for the MIAA and Game Officials' newsletters.

(8) Establish communication with game officials.

(9) Issue commendations to schools and leagues that are promoting

outstanding sportsmanship efforts.

(10) Warn, censure, place on probation, or suspend up to one

calendar year any player, team, coach, game or school official, or

school determined to be acting in a manner contrary to the

standards of good sportsmanship.

(11) Develop strategies for dealing with media portrayal of athletic

events as they pertain to proper behavior.

8. FINANCE COMMITTEE


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a. There shall be a Finance Committee consisting of three or more

members to be appointed annually by the Board of Directors, one of

whom shall be the vice president. Members shall serve for three years

and may be reappointed to successive terms.

b. Duties

The Finance Committee shall:

(1) Prepare an annual budget for the Massachusetts Interscholastic

Athletic Association.

(2) Advise the Board and all committees on financial policies.

F. MASSACHUSETTS INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETIC COUNCIL (MIAC)

1. The MIAC shall consist of 18 voting members; five elected by the MASC, five

by the MASS, five by the MIAA, two by the middle level, and one by the

MSSADA. If a minority member is not elected or appointed through the

aforementioned, then the MIAC Chair will appoint a minority to serve as an

"at-large" MIAC member for the year.

2. The officers shall consist of a Chair and Vice Chair. These officers shall be

elected annually by the MIAC. The Executive Director of MIAA shall serve as

a non-voting member of the MIAC.

3. Powers and Duties:

a. The MIAC shall hear and act on appeals and protests from decisions or

acts of the Assembly and/or Board of Directors. Such appeals shall be

presented according to procedures adopted and published by the MIAC.

b. The MIAC shall have authority to approve or revise decisions of the

Assembly or Board of Directors including rules and regulations issued

by the Board.

c. The MIAC shall not act on appeals or protests which have not first been

presented to either the Assembly or Board of Directors.

d. The MIAC shall meet annually and at other times at the call of the

Chair or on request of three or more voting members of the MIAC.

G. ABSENTEES

1. Any appointed or elected member of a committee, board, or Council who is

absent without good cause for more than three consecutive meetings or for


133

more than three meetings during any fiscal year shall be removed or requested

to resign.

ARTICLE V - SERVICE FEES AND FINANCES

A. ANNUAL SERVICE FEES

1. The annual service fee for members shall be set by the Board of Directors. The

Board of Directors shall establish a base fee for all member schools which will

be combined with a per sport assessment.

2. Service fees and assessment are payable to the MIAA on July 1 or each year.

Any member who is delinquent in the payment of the annual service fee after

November 1 of any school year shall, after due notice, thereby cease to be a

member.

ARTICLE VI - LOCAL MANAGEMENT

A. THE PRINCIPAL

1. The principal of the school, or his/her authorized staff representative, shall

accompany any student or group of students representing his/her school in an

interscholastic contest or meeting.

2. The principal of the school, or staff authorized by him/her, shall be the

manager of the team or group representing the school.

3. No school shall engage in any interscholastic activity without the sanction of

the principal.

ARTICLE VII - AMENDMENTS

A. AMENDMENTS

1. The Constitution of this Association may be amended by a majority vote of

the voting members present and voting at any meeting of the Assembly,

provided a quorum is present. Any proposed amendment relative to the

Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association must be presented to the

MIAA Board of Directors at least four (4) weeks prior to the Annual Meeting

of the Assembly.

2. Proposed amendments shall be referred to the membership by sending a

notice of the proposed amendments to the principal of each institutional

member and the executive officer of each association represented on the

Board at least 12 days prior to the meeting with a statement of the action

recommended by the Board of Directors on each amendment.


134

3. In the event of an emergency, the Board of Directors, at its discretion may

submit an amendment to the MIAA member school principals for approval by

mail. A two-thirds vote of the membership shall be required for the passage

of such an amendment. If passed, the amendment is effective immediately but

only until the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Assembly, at which time

the amendment shall be re-submitted for the regularly prescribed action of the

Assembly.

ARTICLE VIII – PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE

Meetings of the Association and its subdivisions shall be conducted according to

Roberts Rules of Order (latest edition).

ARTICLE IX - DISSOLUTION

Upon dissolution of the MIAA, Inc., all assets will be distributed exclusively for the

purposes stated in this Constitution and only to organizations that qualify under 501

(c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code.


135

PART XI: RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE MIAC

ARTICLE I - NAME

The name of this organization shall be the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic

Council (MIAC).

ARTICLE II - PURPOSE

The MIAC shall hear and act on appeals and protests from decisions or acts of the

Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA), Assembly, and/or Board of

Directors. Such appeals shall be presented according to procedures adopted and

published by the MIAC. The MIAC shall have authority to approve or revise decisions

of the Assembly or Board of Directors including rules and regulations issued by the

Board. The MIAC shall not act on appeals or protests which have not first been

presented to either the Assembly or Board of Directors.

ARTICLE III - ADMINISTRATION

The responsibility for the administration of the athletic policies approved and adopted

by the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Council shall be vested with the

Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association.

Before any question of policy is presented to the MIAC for its action, it shall first be

carefully considered by the MIAA and recommendations obtained through its Board of

Directors and representative committees.

Athletic policies approved and adopted by the MIAC shall be published as a

responsibility of MIAA and disseminated to the chief executive officers of affiliated

associations.

ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP

The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Council shall consist of 18 voting members;

five members to represent the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC),

five members to represent the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents

(MASS), five members to represent the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic

Association (MIAA), two members to represent the middle level, and one member to

represent the Massachusetts Secondary School Athletic Directors' Association

(MSSADA). If a minority member is not elected or appointed through the

aforementioned, then the MIAC Chair will appoint a minority to serve as an "at-large"

MIAC member for the year. The school committee representatives shall be selected by the MASC. The

superintendents' representatives shall be selected by the MASS. The secondary school

administrators' representatives shall be selected by the MIAA Assembly. The junior

high school principals' representatives shall be selected by the middle level. The


136

athletic directors' representative shall be selected by the MSSADA. The term of each

appointment shall be for a period of three years.

ARTICLE V - OFFICERS

The officers of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Council shall consist of a

chairman, vice-chairman, and a secretary.

The chairman shall be elected annually by a majority vote of members in attendance at

the spring meeting. The chairman shall always be a school committee representative.

It shall be his/her duty to preside at all meetings.

The vice-chairman shall be elected annually by a majority vote of members in attendance

at the spring meeting. It shall be his/her duty to preside at all meetings in the absence

of the chairman.

The secretary shall always be the Executive Director of the Massachusetts

Interscholastic Athletic Association. It shall be his/her duty to keep minutes of all

meetings and to notify all members of regular and special meetings in writing at least

two weeks in advance of such regular or special meetings.

ARTICLE VI - MEETINGS

At least two regular meetings of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Council

shall be held annually; one in the Fall and another during the Spring. Other meetings

may be called by the chairman when he/she deems such meetings are essential, or upon

the written request of five members of the Council.

ARTICLE VII - APPEAL PROCEDURES

A three member hearing board, comprised of voting members of MIAC, shall represent

the MIAC and act on individual student eligibility waiver appeals from Eligibility

Review Board decisions. Whenever possible, the MIAC chairman, vice chairman, and

one MIAA delegate to the MIAC will constitute this hearing board. The chairman shall

be authorized to name alternatives from the voting membership of the Council as

circumstances require.

A quorum of MIAC will be required to take action on appeals which affect more than one

individual student's athletic eligibility.

ARTICLE VIII - AMENDMENTS

The Rules and Regulations of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Council may

be amended by a majority vote at any regular meeting. Any proposed amendments must

be presented to the secretary at least three weeks previous to the meeting to enable the

secretary to refer such proposed amendments to the entire Council membership at least

two weeks prior to the meeting.


137

INDEX

A

A message to Principals & Athletic Directors ..................... 3

Absenteeism of committee members ............................... 132

Academic Awards.............................................................. 22

Academic Requirements .................................................... 57

Addressing the Board of Directors .................................... 21

Adult Representation ......................................................... 21

Age Limits ......................................................................... 59

Alcohol .............................................................................. 60

All Star Games .................................................................. 37

Alternative School ............................................................. 52

Amateurism ....................................................................... 47

Amendments .................................................................... 133

Annual Service Fees ........................................................ 133

Appeals

ERB .............................................................................. 99

MIAC ............................................................................ 99

Application of Rules .......................................................... 31

Assembly ................................................................... 14, 126

Athlete or Coach Contest Expulsions ................................ 48

Athletes' Assembly ............................................................ 22

Attempt to Injure ............................................................... 50

Attendance Policies ........................................................... 22

Authority to Penalize ......................................................... 95

Awards ............................................................................. 120

B

Baseball

Baseball Game Rules .................................................... 65

Baseline Eligibility Requirements ..................................... 52

Basketball

Basketball Game Rules ................................................. 66

Between-Seasons Activity ................................................. 38

Blood-Borne Pathogens .............................................. 20, 28

Board of Directors ............................................................. 14

Authority to Penalize .................................................... 95

Hearing ......................................................................... 95

Penalties ........................................................................ 95

Suspension .................................................................... 95

Waivers ......................................................................... 95

Bona Fide Team Member .................................................. 27

Bona Fide Team Members............................................... 117

Boys and Girls on the Same Team .................................... 42

C

Canceled Season Policy ..................................................... 24

Candidates ......................................................................... 38

Captain's Practice ............................................................... 25

Certification of Eligibility.................................................. 63

Change of Residence ......................................................... 56

Changing Rules ............................................................... 101

Chemical Health ................................................................ 60

Club Teams ........................................................................ 25

Coach/Media Relations ...................................................... 51

Coaches’ Code of Ethics .................................................... 11

Coaches’ Education ........................................................... 32

Coaching-Out Of Season ................................................... 38

Committee on Sportsmanship, Integrity, and Ethics ....... 130

Committees

Absenteeism ................................................................ 132

Competition

International .................................................................. 37

Interstate ....................................................................... 37

Limits ............................................................................ 33

Non-Member Schools ................................................... 38

Out-of-Season ............................................................... 38

Out-of-State .................................................................. 37

Complimentary Tournament Passes .................................. 24

Concussions ....................................................................... 54

Conflict Of Interest Statement ........................................... 26

Constitution, MIAA ......................................................... 124

Constitutional Organization Chart ..................................... 18

Coop Teams ............................................................... 15, 116

Court Orders ...................................................................... 27

Court Orders and Resultant Forfeitures ............................. 27

Cross Country Track .......................................................... 67

Cut-Off Dates .................................................................. 115

D

Definition

Amateurism ................................................................... 47

Bona Fide Member ............................................... 46, 117

Coach ............................................................................ 38

Game ............................................................................. 25

Intramural Sport ............................................................ 40

Membership in School .................................................. 54

Practice ......................................................................... 25

Scrimmage .................................................................... 24

Week ............................................................................. 34

Definition of Scrimmage ................................................... 24

Diseased Paired Organ ....................................................... 22

District Athletic Committees ............................................. 15

Diversity .................................................................. 130, 131

Divisional Enrollment ...................................................... 116

Drop-outs ........................................................................... 54

Drugs-Steroid Use ............................................................. 62

E

Educational Athletic Committee ........................................ 16

Eligibility

Certification .................................................................. 63

Drop-Outs ..................................................................... 54

Postponed Contest......................................................... 31

Repeated Courses .......................................................... 58

Eligibility Review Board ............................................. 15, 98

Eligibility Waiver .............................................................. 98

Enrolled Officials ............................................................ 108

Equipment.......................................................................... 23

ERB ................................................................................... 98

Every Participant must be a School Team Member ........... 21

Exclusion Form ................................................................. 49

Executive Director ............................................................. 15

Exemptions ........................................................................ 57


138

Transfer Rule ................................................................ 57

Exhibition Game ................................................................ 25

Experimental Rules............................................................ 32

Expulsions (Coach/Student) .............................................. 48

F

Fees--Game Officials

Fall .............................................................................. 110

Spring .......................................................................... 112

Winter ......................................................................... 111

Field Hockey ..................................................................... 68

Fighting.............................................................................. 50

Finance Committee .......................................................... 132

Football

Football Game Rules .................................................... 68

Football Jamborees/Termination of Season ....................... 72

Football Practice ................................................................ 72

Foreign Students ................................................................ 56

Full-Crown Helmet ............................................................ 65

G

Game

Definition ...................................................................... 25

Exhibition ..................................................................... 25

Game Exclusion ................................................................. 49

Game Officials ................................................................. 108

Fees ............................................................................. 110

Newsletter ................................................................... 108

Recommended Numbers ............................................. 109

Game Officials' Committee

Statement of Expanded Mission ................................. 108

Game Officials’ Committee ....................................... 16, 108

Gender Equity and Leadership .......................................... 26

General Rules .................................................................... 30

All Star Games .............................................................. 37

Multiple School Events ................................................. 36

Out of Season Coaching Parameters ............................. 38

Recognized Sports ........................................................ 33

Recruitment ................................................................... 44

Girls and Boys on the Same Team .................................... 42

Golf

Golf Game Rules .......................................................... 73

Good Citizen ...................................................................... 63

Governance

District Athletic Committees ........................................ 15

Eligibility Review Board .............................................. 15

Executive Director ........................................................ 15

Legend .......................................................................... 14

Member School ............................................................. 17

National Federation of State High School Associations

................................................................................. 19

Officers ......................................................................... 14

Overview....................................................................... 14

Sports Medicine Committee ......................................... 16

Standing Committees .................................................... 15

The Assembly ............................................................... 14

Governance of Interscholastic Athletics ............................ 13

Graduation ......................................................................... 59

Gymnastics ........................................................................ 73

Boys' Gymnastics .......................................................... 73

Girls' Gymnastics .......................................................... 74

H

Hearing ............................................................................ 102

Hearings and Appeals ...................................................... 102

Hockey

Field Hockey ................................................................. 68

Ice Hockey .................................................................... 74

Home Educated Students ................................................... 53

I

Ice Hockey ......................................................................... 74

Score Sheet ................................................................... 75

Indoor Track ...................................................................... 77

Ineligibility ........................................................................ 96

Transfers ....................................................................... 55

Ineligible Player ................................................................. 96

International Competition .................................................. 37

Interstate Competition ....................................................... 37

Intramural Sport ................................................................. 40

J

Junior High School Students on Senior High Squads ........ 52

Junior High School Transfer .............................................. 57

L

Lacrosse

Lacrosse Game Rules .................................................... 78

League Organization and Membership Changes ............... 41

Legend ............................................................................... 14

Limitation

Age ................................................................................ 59

Local Management .......................................................... 133

Loss of Amateur Standing ................................................. 47

M

Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Council ..... 19, 99,

132, 135

Medical Alert Bracelets/Anklets ........................................ 55

Medical Coverage ........................................................ 21, 54

Medical Emergency Evacuation/Thunder-&-Lightning .... 23

Member School ................................................................. 17

Membership in School ....................................................... 54

MIAA Constitution .......................................................... 124

Amendments ............................................................... 133

Committee on Sportsmanship, Integrity, and Ethics ... 130

Dissolution .................................................................. 134

Finance Committee ..................................................... 131

Local Management ..................................................... 133

Membership and Voting Procedures ........................... 125

Parliamentary Procedure ............................................. 134

Service Fees and Finances .......................................... 133

MIAA Constitution Administration ................................. 125

MIAA Constitution Assembly ......................................... 126

MIAA Constitution Board of Directors ........................... 127

MIAA Constitution Nominating Committee ................... 127

MIAA Constitution Organization of Committees ............ 128

MIAA Philosophy................................................................ 8


139

MIAA Tournaments .......................................................... 27

MIAC

Administration ............................................................ 132

Appeals ......................................................................... 99

Description .................................................................... 19

Rules and Regulations ................................................ 135

Missing or Diseased Paired Organ..................................... 22

Mission

Game Officials ............................................................ 108

MIAA .............................................................................. 7

Mixed Gender Rule ........................................................... 42

Multiple School Events ..................................................... 36

N

Name ............................................................................... 124

National Federation of State High School Associations .... 19

Nominating Committee ................................................... 127

Number of Officials ......................................................... 109

O

Officers

MIAA .......................................................................... 125

Officials’ Code of Ethics ................................................... 12

One Sport Per Season ........................................................ 46

Organization of Committees ............................................ 128

Outdoor Track ................................................................... 78

Out-of-Season Coaching Parameters ................................. 38

Out-of-State Competition .................................................. 37

P

Paired Organ ...................................................................... 22

Parental Permission ........................................................... 22

Parliamentary Procedure .................................................. 134

Penalties ............................................................................. 44

Baseball......................................................................... 65

Board of Directors ...................................................... 128

Chemical Health ........................................................... 60

Football ......................................................................... 72

Ice Hockey .................................................................... 76

Ineligible Player ............................................................ 96

MIAA Authority to Penalize ......................................... 95

Recruitment ................................................................... 44

Penalty for Playing if Ineligible ......................................... 96

Philosophy

MIAA .............................................................................. 8

Tournament ................................................................. 114

Physical Assault ................................................................. 50

Physical Examination .................................................. 38, 54

Policies

Athletes' Assembly ....................................................... 22

Certification of Eligibility ............................................. 63

Equipment ..................................................................... 23

Medical Coverage ......................................................... 21

Parental Permission ....................................................... 22

Private Promoters and Sponsors ................................... 23

Protested Eligibility ...................................................... 63

Return to Athletic Participation .................................... 22

Transportation ............................................................... 23

Policies and Procedures

Game Officials ............................................................ 108

Postponed Contest -- Player Eligibility ............................. 31

Practice .............................................................................. 25

Football ......................................................................... 72

Precautions Against the Transmission of Blood-Borne

Pathogens ............................................................... 20, 28

Principal ........................................................... 3, 31, 32, 133

Private Agreement ............................................................. 31

Private Promoters and Sponsors ........................................ 23

Procedure

For Requesting a Rule Change ................................... 101

Procedures ......................................................................... 97

Protested Eligibility ........................................................... 63

R

Recognized Sports ............................................................. 33

Recruitment ....................................................................... 44

Red Card ............................................................................ 81

Repeated Courses .............................................................. 58

Residence, change of ......................................................... 56

Resolutions ........................................................................ 26

Return to Athletic Participation ......................................... 22

Rugby Game Rules ............................................................ 80

Rule Change Process ....................................................... 101

Rules

Experimental ................................................................. 32

Mixed Gender ............................................................... 42

Penalties for Violation .................................................. 94

Rules Affecting an Individual Student............................... 46

Rules and Regulations of the MIAC ................................ 135

S

School Team ...................................................................... 21

Scrimmage ......................................................................... 24

Ski Game Rules ................................................................. 80

Soccer Game Rules ............................................................ 80

Softball .............................................................................. 84

Softball Rules .................................................................... 84

Sport Rules ........................................................................ 64

Sports Medicine Committee .............................................. 16

Sportsmanship

Athlete or Coach Contest Disqualifications/Suspensions

................................................................................. 48

Taunting ........................................................................ 47

Sportsmanship Awards ...................................................... 22

Sportsmanship Committee ................................................. 16

Spring Season .................................................................... 35

Spring Track and Field ...................................................... 78

Standing Committees ......................................................... 15

Starting and Closing Dates for Contests ............................ 35

Statewide Coaches' Organizations ..................................... 24

Student Eligibility

Academic Requirements ............................................... 57

Age ................................................................................ 59

Chemical Health/Alcohol/Drugs/Tobacco .................... 60

Graduation .................................................................... 59

Membership in School .................................................. 54

Time Allowed for Participation After First Entering

Grade Nine ............................................................... 59


140

Transfer Students .......................................................... 55

Student Eligibility/School Requirements

Physical Examinations/Disqualifications ...................... 54

Subsidizing Out-of-Season Activities ................................ 40

Suspensions ....................................................................... 95

Suspensions of Players or Coaches .................................... 48

Swimming

Swimming Game Rules ................................................ 84

T

Table of Contents................................................................. 4

Taunting Policy ................................................................. 47

Team

Bona Fide Member ..................................................... 117

Tennis

Tennis Game Rules ....................................................... 85

The Assembly .................................................................... 14

Time Allowed for Participation ......................................... 59

Tobacco ............................................................................. 60

Tournament Administration and Accountability ............. 118

Tournament Cut-Off Dates .............................................. 115

Tournaments .................................................................... 114

Philosophy .................................................................. 114

Purpose ....................................................................... 114

Track and Field Rules

Spring ............................................................................ 78

Winter ........................................................................... 77

Transfers ............................................................................ 55

Junior High/Middle ....................................................... 57

Transportation .................................................................... 23

Trash Talk .......................................................................... 48

U

Unattached Athletes ........................................................... 27

Unified Sports

Unified Sports Game Rules .......................................... 87

Universal Cut-Off Dates .................................................. 115

Unsportsmanlike Conduct ................................................. 50

V

Victory Celebrations .......................................................... 25

Violation of rules, penalties for ......................................... 37

Violation of Rules, Penalties for ........................................ 95

Volleyball

Volleyball Game Rules ................................................. 88

Voting Committee Members ............................................. 16

W

Waiver

Eligibility ...................................................................... 98

White Book

Exclusion Form ............................................................. 49

Ice Hockey Score Sheet ................................................ 75

Winter Season .................................................................... 35

Winter Track

Winter Track Rules ....................................................... 77

Worth Remembering ........................................................... 9

Wrestling

Wrestling Match Rules ................................................. 90

Y

Yellow Card ....................................................................... 81

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